Abraham Lambertsz. van den Tempel (1622/3-1672)

Portrait of a family in the guise of Volumnia and her children before Coriolanus

Details

Abraham Lambertsz. van den Tempel (1622/3-1672)
Portrait of a family in the guise of Volumnia and her children before Coriolanus
oil on canvas
158.4 x 194 cm

Provenance

Anon.Sale, Christie's London, 10 April 1981, lot 82, with ill.
Anon.Sale, Christie's New York, 18 January 1983, lot148, with ill. as F.Bol
Anon.Sale, Sotheby's London, 8 July 1992, lot 103
Anon. Sale, Sotheby's London, 29 October 1993, lot 121
with Arnim Pertsch, Munich

Literature

W.Sumowski, Gemälde der Rembrandt Schüler, I, 1983, p.139, p.142, note 48 and p.160, with ill.
W.Sumowksi, Gemälde der Rembrandt Schüler, Nachträge, VI, 1983, p.3588

Lot Essay

The subject is taken from Livy, Ab urbe condita, 2:40 or Plutarch, Lives 12: 34-36. Coriolanus was a Roman general who joined a neighbouring enemy of the Volsci. When he returned to assault his native city, he was met by his wife Volumnia and two sons who persuaded him to call off the attack. His retreat led to his execution by the Volsci. The story is taken as an example of the strength of family ties and was therefore, in spite of its unhappy ending, appropriate for family portraits.

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