The death of the Niobids.

Drawing, pen and black ink, brush and watercolour, 19,5 x 19 cm, laid paper, unsigned (trimmed at borderline, waterstain at lower right corner, min. foxing).

Stuck by corners under passe-partout, framed under glass (not studied outside frame).

A fine depiction of the Greek myth of Niobe. During the annual celebration of Leto's offspring (Artemis and Apollo), Niobe, queen of Thebes, was boasting that it was she and her children who should be celebrated instead, given that she was fortunate to have been blessed with 7 sons and 7 daughters. Punished for her Hubris, Artemis and Apollo killed Niobe's children by shooting arrows from the heavens. In the foreground the desperate Niobe is mourning her terrible loss.