Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581-1642) and Studio
Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581-1642) and Studio

The Feast of Perseus and Andromeda

細節
Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581-1642) and Studio
The Feast of Perseus and Andromeda
oil on panel, unframed
18 x 22½ (45.7 x 57.2 cm.)
來源
Anon. Sale, Christie's, London, 25 April 2001, lot 10.
拍場告示
Please note the painting is shown in a Spanish 18th century frame on loan from Diego Salazar Antique Frames and is available for purchase. Please inquire within the Deparment.

拍品專文

In her monograph on the artist, Dr. Ursula Härting lists three other works attributed to Francken depicting the Feast of Perseus and Andromeda (see U. Härting, Frans Francken der
Jüngere
, Freren, 1989, p. 339, nos. 342-344, all unseen), while a fourth was sold at Christie's, London, 13 December 2000, lot 17 (£54,050). Of those, three depict the same moment of the story as the present picture, including another version of this composition, Härting's no. 344, which was sold at Christie's, 23 March 1956, lot 102 (100 gns.).

The subject is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses (V; 1-235), and relates the fight between the followers of Perseus and Phineus at the feast of the wedding of the former to Andromeda. Phineus - a disappointed suitor for Andromeda, and the brother of Andromeda's father, the King of Ethiopia - attacked Perseus, claiming the bride as his own. In the ensuing fight, most of Perseus' supporters were killed, forcing him to use the Medusa's head in self-defence, petrifying his enemies. Phineus is shown on the right, thrusting his lance at Perseus, center.