Desdemona (The Song of the Willow)
The Met
Artist: Théodore Chassériau(French, Le Limon, Saint-Domingue, West Indies 1819–1856 Paris)
Date: 1849
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 13 3/4 x 10 5/8 in. (34.9 x 27 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A woman in a white gown sits with a golden lyre, another figure stands in deep shadows
Detailed Description
A vertical painting depicts two figures in a dimly lit interior. In the center-left, a woman sits on a dark, ornate stool, facing slightly right with her gaze directed forward. She has long, dark hair, partially braided or pulled back, with some strands falling over her shoulders. She wears a long, flowing white gown with a gold sash cinched at her waist. Her left arm rests on a golden lyre, which she holds upright, while her right hand is raised near her ear. Her bare feet are visible. To her left, a small, dark red table holds a lit oil lamp, casting a warm, yellow glow on her and the immediate surroundings. Behind her, dark, draped fabrics in deep red and brown tones are visible. To the right and slightly behind the seated woman, a second figure stands partially obscured in shadow, leaning against a dark column or wall. This figure wears a long, dark yellow or brown dress and a white veil or head covering, and appears to be looking towards the main woman. The floor is a reddish-brown with a subtle pattern. The overall lighting highlights the seated woman and the lamp against a predominantly dark background.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
