Penelope Unraveling Her Web (1783–1784)

This page presents "Penelope Unraveling Her Web" (1783–1784), created by Joseph Wright of Derby. Background on Mythology: Artists from the Renaissance to the Symbolists returned to myth to explore love, power, fate, and transformation. Mythological painting draws on stories from Greek and Roman myth, and on other traditions such as Norse, Celtic, and Hindu narrative. About the period around 1783–1784: The eighteenth century began with the light, ornamental Rococo, especially in France, and moved towards the clarity and antique references of Neoclassicism by the end of the century. The Enlightenment and the habit of the Grand Tour fed a wider interest in science, travel, antiquity, and natural history, and illustrators accompanied many expeditions. It is listed in the Mythology collection. The image is in landscape orientation.

Your purchase of "Penelope Unraveling Her Web" on onlly.art is a digital download: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. After payment the download link arrives by email, and you can send the files to any print service you trust. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Mythological scenes add narrative depth and historical atmosphere, which helps them work as a central accent in classic as well as eclectic spaces. If you are unsure about size, measure the wall first, then pick a frame whose proportions follow the image. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

English, 1734–1797

If you like the visual language of Joseph Wright of Derby, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.