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Lot Essay
A native of Leiden, Naiveu completed his initial training in the studio of Abraham Toorenvliet (c.1620-1692) before commencing his studies in the studio of the Leiden fijnschilder Gerrit Dou (1613-1675) in the years 1667-1669. In 1671 he joined the city guild of Saint Luke, and was elected dean both in 1677 and 1678. In 1678 he moved to Amsterdam where he was to live and work until his death in 1726.
The present lot displays the full mature style of the artist, and for which a dating of the first decade of the 1700’s may be proposed. The theatre was a great source of inspiration to Naiveu, and his oeuvre was to become increasingly infused by elements from the stage. Indeed the present picture can be seen as a culmination of this trend, as Heppner writes:
“there exists a painting of 'Anthony and Cleopatra’ by Mathijs Naiveu (1647-about 1722), whose work throws more light on the stage than that of any other Dutch artist of the 17th century with the exception of Jan Steen. Throughout his career he painted pictures inspired by the stage, some with Leiden as a background, others with Amsterdam. His ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ is overloaded with stag-properties and the scene is placed in a stage architecture in the classical style.” (op cit.).
The subject is recorded by Pliny the Elder (23-79) in his ‘Natural History’ and relates to the story of Cleopatra (69-30 BC) who dissolved one of the “two largest pearls of all time” in a cup of vinegar, which she then drank to win a bet with the Roman General Mark Anthony (83-30 BC). The present scene depicts the dramatic moment when Lucius Plancus (the figure in the green cloak) pronounces Cleopatra the winner.
The present lot displays the full mature style of the artist, and for which a dating of the first decade of the 1700’s may be proposed. The theatre was a great source of inspiration to Naiveu, and his oeuvre was to become increasingly infused by elements from the stage. Indeed the present picture can be seen as a culmination of this trend, as Heppner writes:
“there exists a painting of 'Anthony and Cleopatra’ by Mathijs Naiveu (1647-about 1722), whose work throws more light on the stage than that of any other Dutch artist of the 17th century with the exception of Jan Steen. Throughout his career he painted pictures inspired by the stage, some with Leiden as a background, others with Amsterdam. His ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ is overloaded with stag-properties and the scene is placed in a stage architecture in the classical style.” (op cit.).
The subject is recorded by Pliny the Elder (23-79) in his ‘Natural History’ and relates to the story of Cleopatra (69-30 BC) who dissolved one of the “two largest pearls of all time” in a cup of vinegar, which she then drank to win a bet with the Roman General Mark Anthony (83-30 BC). The present scene depicts the dramatic moment when Lucius Plancus (the figure in the green cloak) pronounces Cleopatra the winner.