Follower of Francesco Albani, Abduction of Europa, 1700, Oil on Board

Details

Description

Francesco albani (bologna 1578 - 1660) follower of
the abduction of europa

oil on panel

44 x 53 cm.
with … Read more Francesco albani (bologna 1578 - 1660) follower of
the abduction of europa

oil on panel

44 x 53 cm.
with gilded wooden frame (19th century) 61 x 71 cm.

the proposed work depicts an episode from greek mythology, recounting one of jupiter's many amorous adventures: the abduction of europa, daughter of the king of tyre, a city in phoenicia, as described by the latin poet ovid in his metamorphoses (metamorphoses ii, vv. 846-875).

this work can be attributed to an artist who adheres to the stylistic and compositional models of the bolognese francesco albani (bologna 1578 - 1660), who was active among his followers between the 17th and 18th centuries.

a disciple of annibale carracci, albani is considered, along with domenichino and guido reni, among the leading exponents of bolognese classicism, a style highly sought after by the cultured patrons of the time. Thanks to a style characterized by idyllic compositions, which were therefore pleasing to the most intimate tastes of his patrons, the main output of albani's workshop is found in mythological paintings.

looking into the detail of the panel, we see the turbulent moment when zeus kidnaps the beautiful phoenician princess europa, having transformed himself into a handsome white bull and fled to the island of crete. The girl, dressed in a long, deep blue robe, is overwhelmed by the event and turns her gaze toward her maids still on the shore.

she holds on to the bull's horns, which rushes with great force through the rough waves of the sea, while four fluttering cherubs aid the cunning zeus in his feat: one supports the princess, another holds the reins of flowers, and yet another holds a fluttering red cloth, a device often used by albani to emphasize movement.

the composition, in particular, draws inspiration, albeit with variations, from the rape of europa, now in the uffizi gallery, painted by albani in 1639 for count angelo oddi of perugia.

many versions were based on the uffizi version, given that the canvas remained in albani's workshop for a long time, including the one in the roman collection of marquis patrizio patrizi, as well as the versions in the louvre and the colonna gallery in rome.

these compositions enjoyed enormous critical acclaim and were highly praised by european collectors for their aesthetic and decorative value. In our case, the canvas is accompanied by a beautiful 19th-century carved and gilded wooden frame.

additional information:

the work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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