Neoclassical and Romantic painters often turned their gaze to Ancient Greece looking for inspiration. Sappho, a poetess from Lesbos in the 7th-6th century BC, was an attractive figure represented many times. You are going to analyse five paintings in which Sappho is the main character.  

Look at the images, watch them carefully and answer the following questions:  

a) Why do you think Angelica Kauffmann painted Eros inspiring the poetess? 

b) In Amanda Brewster's painting, Sappho is depicted alongside some of her students. Do some research on the school of Sappho.  

c) How is Sappho portrayed in Simeon Solomon's painting? Why do you think he portrayed her like that? Look up for information on Erinna. Do you think this scene might have actually happened? 

d) In Alma-Tadema's painting, Sappho is depicted with another famous lyrical poet. Do some research on Alcaeus and summarise the most important information. Do you think this scene might have actually happened?  

e) Despite its lack of historical rigour, Sappho's cause of suicide being a failed relationship fit the Romantic ideals and she became highly popular during that period. Find some other Romantic paintings which represent this ideal, choose your favourite one and explain why.  

f) Read Heroides XV by Ovid, where he tells the story of Sappho's alleged suicide and summarise it.  
 
Paintings: 

- Angelica Kauffmann, Sappho Inspired by Love (1775) 

- Théodore Chassériau, Sappho Jumping off to the Sea from a Leucadian Promontory (1840) 

- Simeon Solomon, Sappho and Erinna in a garden in Mytilene (1864) 

- Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sappho and Alcaeus (1881) 

- Amanda Brewster Sewell, The Poetess Sappho with Her Pupils (1883)