Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Style Large Oil Painting on Canvas of a French Subject Calliope Gold Background

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We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and … Read more We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. The following item will be shipped via a courier specialized in shipping works of art, who, given the importance of the object, will arrange for it to be viewed at the Office of Fine Arts in Florence, so the painting will be even more enhanced by the Certificate of the prestigious office in Florence.
Exceptional and beautiful painting depicting the Calliope Muse; it is a perfectly painted oil on canvas with a wealth of details that complement, enrich and tell the story of the subject. The wooden frame is from the time of the painting, very simple, just to enhance the subject, it is black with light gilding, and the back, also from the period, was designed and made to optimally support the large painting. The painting was executed between 1860 and 1870 in France during the reign of Napoleon III, it is not signed and therefore we are not able to give any information about the author, however, we can confirm his extraordinary pictorial talent and surprising aestheticism. The anonymous painter belonged to the nineteenth-century current associated with an artistic style called "portrait on a gilded background" or "portrait on a gold background." This style was popular in 19th-century European art during the period of Rococo and Neoclassicism but particularly in the era of Napoleon III. The gold background (of Giottesque memory) was often used to give a sense of luxury and prestige to the portrait. Gold, due to its luster and warm color, created a sumptuous atmosphere and helped to highlight the portrayed figure, which was usually placed in the center of the work, in the foreground, while the golden background occupied most or all of the rest of the surface. Portrait paintings against a gilded background are still admired for their beauty and for the way they manage to capture the elegance and pomp of the era in which they have been created. This style of portrait painting was very popular among the aristocracy and bourgeoisie figures of that historical period, who proudly displayed this kind of painting in their sumptuous drawing rooms. Our painter's perfect work has all these characteristics, plus it is not an ordinary portrait but depicts a Muse of Excellence: Calliope. In nineteenth-century painting, mythological Muses were often depicted as figures of inspiration and beauty. The Muses were deities of Greek mythology who inspired artists, poets, and musicians. They were often portrayed as graceful young women with specific artistic talents. Our Calliope is a woman conscious of her superiority therefore mature, proud, and haughty. In nineteenth-century paintings, mythological Muses could be depicted individually or in groups. Artists of that period often sought to capture the beauty, elegance, and inspiration associated with these divine figures, using a variety of painting styles and techniques to express their artistic vision. Our artist expressed all these peculiarities to the fullest in the work he masterfully executed. The Muse Calliope, in Greek mythology, was the muse of epic and heroic poetry. In nineteenth-century painting, the depiction of the Muse Calliope was often associated with the representation of famous poets, writers, or literary figures. Her figure was used to symbolize poetic inspiration and literary creation. She was depicted as a majestic figure and associated with the world of poetry and epic. Artists sought to capture the essence of poetic inspiration and creativity through the depiction of this legendary deity. In the study of Greek myths, Calliope ("she who has a beautiful voice") was the muse of epic poetry, the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, known as the Muse of Homer, the inspirer of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is called by Lucretius "callida Musa, Calliope, requies hominum divomque voluptas ", wise Muse Calliope, consolation of men and voluptuousness of the gods. She had two sons, Orpheus and Linus whose father depending on the legends was either Apollo or the Thracian king Eagro. She was loved by her father Zeus, and by him, she begat the Coribanti. She was the eldest and wisest of the Muses, as well as the most confident. She acted as judge in the dispute over Adonis between Aphrodite and Persephone, deciding that each spend equal amounts of time with him. Her symbols are the stylus and the wax tablet. She is always depicted holding the tablet on which to write, sometimes she carries a scroll or a book and wears a golden crown on her head. In our painting her depiction is even more peculiar: the stylus is in her right hand and the tablet in her left, on her head she wears a laurel wreath, while the golden one and the scepter are laid at her feet. The laurel crown is an ancient symbol of victory glory and immortality, so the one surrounding Calliope's head in our painting indicates her dominant role in epic poetic inspiration and her supremacy in the field of literature. The scepter represents her sovereignty and influence over the epic and poetic arts. Symbolically, it indicates that Calliope is the inspirational source of epic authors and heroic poets, guiding them and giving them the power of speech and creativity. The painting is in excellent condition. Measures width cm.92, depth cm.6, height cm.110. See less