The Sacred Elephant (Péri)

Moreau is a 19th century French artist considered the pioneer of Symbolism. Although literary sources of the theme of "a sacred elephant" are unclear, it would appear to be based on the Hindu belief. This work is a fine example conveying Moreau's delicate and gallant mastership of watercolour. Particularly the way one colour is applied over another on the ornament on the elephant's head is a technique frequently employed in Moreau's watercolours of the 1880s. The transparent expression of the plants on both sides is similar to the effect identifiable in the upper panel of "La vie de l'humanité" (1886). The effect of the estrangement of the line drawing and the colouring was also applied to the highly experimental techniques employed in "Les Licornes"(1886). (Source: The Digital Gallery. 1999-2006)