Lot 71
71
FOUR FAMILLE ROSE 'FOUR ELEMENTS' PLATES
FOUR FAMILLE ROSE 'FOUR ELEMENTS' PLATES

CIRCA 1735-40

Details
FOUR FAMILLE ROSE 'FOUR ELEMENTS' PLATES
Circa 1735-40
Painted in vivid opaque enamel colors with scenes allegorical of the four elements, 'Earth' showing goddesses emblematic of the four seasons in a dog-drawn chariot, 'Air' with Juno and her peacocks riding through the clouds under a rainbow, 'Fire' with Jupiter holding lightening bolts before Vulcan and his forge, and 'Water' with Galatea afloat in a scallop shell amongst nymphs and tritons, 'Earth' with blue enamel vine border and the others with gilt and grisaille
8.7/8 to 9in. (22.6 to 22.9cm.) diam. (4)

Lot Essay

Inspired by a series of four round paintings Cardinal Maurice of Savoy (later King of Sardinia) commissioned from Francesco Albani (1578-1669) in 1635 (now in the Turin Museum). A popular success, the series was published in a number of engravings. Hervouet and Bruneau, op. cit., pp.318-19, quote extensively from the correspondence between Albani and his patron in which the painter describes his inspiration and his imagery, e.g.: "...I have painted Fire...not only divine and elemental fire as represented by the mighty Jupiter, but also the fire of love, of which Vulcan and the goddess of Cyprus are emblematic".