'Faust et Marguerite (la seduction)'

A photograph of a work by Ary Scheffer, the prime version of which was painted in 1846 and is now in the colection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (Inv. no. 2007.394). Inspired by a scene from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust, the work shows the protagonist with Gretchen (or Marguerite) standing in Marta's garden and facing the viewer. Faust holds Gretchen's hands close to his chest, whilst Gretchen rest her head on Faust's left shoulder. Marta, Gretchen neighbour, can be seen to the right standing beside Mephistopheles.

Ary Scheffer (and his studio) continued throughout his life to produce new works of old compositions on demand. His paintings were also widely reproduced as etchings.