“Prometheus in Chains,” created by František Kupka in 1905, belongs to the Expressionism art movement. This mythological painting is part of the “Eschyle Prométheus” series. The artwork features a portrayal of the mythological figure Prometheus, captured in a stylized and expressive manner reflective of the Expressionist ethos.
The artwork delineates a scene of Prometheus, depicted in chains and flanked by figures possibly representing deities or tormentors, consistent with his mythological punishment. The characters are rendered in a highly stylized form with an emphasis on contours and simplified anatomical features. The scene is presented in a confined space with intricate line work and minimal shading, creating a sense of tension and motion. Below the central figures, another smaller, detailed composition features a chained figure and a tormenting animal, perhaps representing the eagle that perpetually devours Prometheus’ liver in the myth. The overall tonality of the artwork is subdued, focusing on the expressive potential of the human form and its symbolic significance.
