CIRCA 1730

Details

A Castelli rectangular plaque
Circa 1730
Painted by Dr. Francesco Antonio Saverio Grue with a mountainous coastline with fortified buildings and waterfalls, a nymph and a maiden bathe in a pool at the foot of the cliffs surrounded by river gods languishing on the rocks, each with a large amphora issuing water, Neptune strides across the rocks towards them, his sea-horses waiting at the shore, in the distance a god appears in a cloud above a column of water from the sea, within a dark-brown and ochre line border
Approximately 7½ in. (19 cm.) high x 10¾ in. (27.5 cm.) wide

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The scene probably depicts Neptune discovering Caenis whilst wandering on a seashore. Caenis, famed for her beauty, was subsequently ravished by Neptune, and she found this so traumatic that she prayed to be changed into a man. The prayer was subsequently granted.

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