Herbert James Draper
November 1863 - September 22, 1920
Herbert James Draper was an English classicist painter, who began his works during the Victorian Era through the 20th century. He was born on November 1863 in London, UK, and died on September 22, 1920 in Abbey Road, London, UK. He was raised in a decently wealthy family, his father being a jeweller. This allowed Herbert Draper to be educated throughout childhood, and then be able to follow up and study at the Royal Academy of Arts, where he discovered his calling in painting. He was able to take educational trips to different places, such as Rome and Paris. For some part of his life, he was an illustrator, and then continued to create his artwork in paintings. In ‘91, he married to a woman named Ida Williams, and together they had a daughter. Draper then had an early passing at the age of 56 in 1920.
Herbert James Draper was not all about death, and depicting death was not his goal in creating his paintings. His inspiration for most of his artworks were inspired by Greek mythology, as can be seen by his most famous piece, The Lament for Icarus. His other paintings include gods and things of Greek mythology, such as Apollo, the sirens, nymphs, and more. However, it is clear to see the passion and pain in many of his artworks, with a darker side to it.
Although it may not seem like Herbert James Draper fits the gallery, his paintings hold a deeper side to things. In his most famous painting, The Lament for Icarus, Draper plays with death in a way that isn’t typically seen. Normally, we see death as a horrible, gruesome, ghastly thing. But Draper is trying to depict something else. His interest in Greek mythology and the representations of gods and goddesses follow through to how Draper decided to show death. He keeps things elegant and warm, showing a “beautiful corpse”. Even in his other painting, Ulysses and the Sirens, Draper could easily show the ugly side of death, but he doesn’t. Everyone should know the story, that on the island of the sirens, there are corpses and wrecked ships everywhere, from where they lure men to their dooms. But Draper only depicted the brighter side, and depicted the sirens as beautiful women.
I appreciate Herbert James Draper’s depictions of death. This isn’t the typical grim reaper, hooded figure and bloody mess types of death. He views death in a different light, a brighter light. Draper might not be known for making artworks of death, but his idea is a different one, one that many people do not consider.
Paintings
The Lament for Icarus
The Lament for Icarus is a depiction of the tragic end of the flight. Most artists depict Icarus and his father while they’re in flight, but Draper decided to create an artwork of the end, his death. The colors are light and warm, giving it a sensual, sentimental view of death, with the nymphs quietly weeping.
Ulysses and the Sirens
The Odyssey, which is where this scene is from, is written as having Ulysses (or Odysseus) tied up by his crew members so he could hear the beautiful song of the sirens. The sirens are depicted as beautiful, when they are actually figures of death. Draper also does not include the background of the island full of corpses and wrecked ships.
Other Pieces
The Sea Maiden
Clyties of the Mist
The Vintage Morn
