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The following two tapestries form part of a series illustrating episodes from Ovid's Heroides. Among Ovid's early works, it revolves around legendary ladies such as Penelope, Dido and Ariadne and their absent lovers or husbands. These two panels were woven by Jan II Raes (d. 1643) who was one of the eight most important weavers of Brussels in the early 17th century. He is believed to have been born in circa 1570, the son of Jan I Raes, who appears as a tapestry weaver in circa 1580. Jan II received his privileges in 1613 and 1629 and was burgomaster of Brussels in 1634 - 1635. He is recorded supervising the weaving of several sets after Rubens, such as The Life of Decius Mus and The Triumph of the Eucharist.

A BRUSSELS MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY

CIRCA 1620-1640, BY JAN II RAES

Details

A BRUSSELS MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY
Circa 1620-1640, by Jan II Raes
Woven in wools and silks, from the story of Ovid's Heroids, depicting Cydippe in the centre and Acontius kneeling in the forground accompanied by cupid, in the background Cydippe's parents consulting the oracle in the temple of Diana, within an elaborate architectural surround flanked by female caryatids, the upper border with rich fruiting swags and inscription panel 'ACONTIUS ET CIDIPPE', signed 'I.Raes' and with Brussels townmark
11 ft. 3 in. (343 cm.) x 17 ft. 3 in. (525 cm.)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

Lot Essay

Acontius, a youth from the Greek island of Keos, fell in love with an Athenian girl, Cydippe, who was of higher social standing than he. In order to win her, he inscribed the words 'I swear before Artemis to marry none but Acontius' on an apple (or orange, depending on the text) and threw it in front of her. Cydippe picked up the fruit and read the inscription aloud, which bound her to the vow. Thereafter, whenever her parents found a suitable prospective husband, Cydippe fell so ill that the marriage had to be called off. Eventually her parents consulted an oracle, which revealed the truth, and Cydippe was allowed to marry Acontius.
This particular tapestry shows Acontius on the right, with Cupid watching, as Cydippe in the centre, having picked up the fruit, reads the inscription.

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