The Continence of Scipio

Details

Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581-1642)
The Continence of Scipio
signed 'D°o ffranck. .fecit ...' (lower right)
oil on copper
37 x 53.4 cm.

Provenance

Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 24 November 1971, lot 107.
Private (?) collection, Spain.

Literature

U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere (1581-1642), Freren, 1989, II, p. 334, no. 327, illustrated, as circa 1630.

Special notice

Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including €150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The Roman general Scipio, having captured the city of New Carthage, was presented with a beautiful young maiden, as part of the spoils of war. Learning that the girl was betrothed, he summoned her fiancé, Allucius, and restored her to him unharmed. When the family of the bride presented Scipio with treasures, thanking him for this legendary act of clemency, he presented it to the young couple as a wedding dowry, further enhancing his reputation for kindness and generosity.

Frans Francken II depicted this scene from Roman history, told by Livius, in several different compositions.

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