Daphnis and Chloe Leading a Goat as an Offering to Pan - Aristide Maillol

A refined woodcut by Aristide Maillol, depicting a scene from the pastoral romance Daphnis and Chloe with clean, classical lines.

This woodcut by Aristide Maillol depicts a scene from the ancient Greek pastoral romance, Daphnis and Chloe. The composition features the two protagonists guiding a goat, intended as a sacrificial offering to the god Pan. Maillol, primarily known for his sculpture, applied a similar focus on simplified, robust forms to his graphic work. The figures are rendered with clean, continuous outlines that define their silhouettes against a dark, solid background. This technique creates a stark contrast, reminiscent of classical Greek vase painting, which Maillol admired throughout his career.

Maillol produced this series of illustrations for a limited edition of Longus's Daphnis and Chloe, published by Henri Creuzevault in 1937. The project allowed him to explore the intersection of literature and visual art, stripping away unnecessary detail to focus on the essential rhythm of the figures. The goat, adorned with a wreath, sits centrally between the two human forms, creating a balanced and harmonious arrangement. The lack of perspective or environmental detail keeps the focus entirely on the interaction between the characters and the animal. This print demonstrates Maillol's ability to translate the tactile qualities of his three-dimensional work into the two-dimensional medium of the woodcut. The lines are deliberate and steady, reflecting a disciplined approach to form that avoids decorative excess. By choosing a monochromatic palette, Maillol emphasises the purity of the line and the strength of the composition, providing a clear window into his interpretation of this classical narrative.