by Kit Crabtree

I decided to illustrate Sappho’s poem #96, deciding to depict the woman being described as the moon itself. Sappho’s prose is just so beautiful that I couldn’t help but depict this scene. As a queer person, seeing queer love depicted in such an open manner in history was really meaningful to me. I have always found the Mediterranean coastline breathtaking and inspiring as an artist as well, and I felt like it would be a disservice to not do a bit of scenery work that lines up with Sappho’s descriptions.

Poem 96, Sappho

… Sard[is] … often turning her mind this way …

… like a true goddess, she rejoiced in your song and dance

Now she shines among the Lydian women

Just as when the sun goes down

Up comes the moon, rosy-fingered, outshining all the stars.

A light spreads over the salty sea and over the flowering fields.

And the dew comes down, so lovely,

the roses bloom and the soft chervil

and the leafy, honey-rich clover.

Pacing back and forth, remembering

gentle Atthis with desire, and her tender spirit is consumed by your fate…

(Translated by Sophie Mills of the UNCA Classics Department)

created for HUM 124 with Elena Adell