Lot Essay
The turbulent scene shown on the present cistern is based on a engraving of 1542 by Enea Vico after the painting of the same subject by the Italian master Rosso Fiorentino (1494-1540) [Illustrated Bartsch, vol. 30, fig. 30 (297)]. It depicts the mythological story as recounted in Ovid (Metamorphoses 12:210-535) of the wedding celebration of Pirithous, king of the Lapiths in Thessaly to his bride Hippodamia. Among the invited guests were Centaurs who overindulged and became obstreperous. Chief among these was Eurytus who attemped to abscond with the bride. A bloody battle ensued between the two groups which ended with victory for the Lapiths due in part to support by the hero Theseus, a friend of the groom. Eurytus can be seen at the left attempting to carry off Hippodamia. Theseus is at the right drawing his sword.
Cf. G. Liverani, Five Centuries of Italian Maiolica, p. 49, pl. XXX
Cf. G. Liverani, Five Centuries of Italian Maiolica, p. 49, pl. XXX