Workshop of Cornelis Van Haarlem, Apollo, 1630, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem (Haarlem 1562–1638) Workshop - Apollo Watching King Admetus's Flocks

Oil on canvas (93 x 69 cm … Read more Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem (Haarlem 1562–1638) Workshop - Apollo Watching King Admetus's Flocks

Oil on canvas (93 x 69 cm - Framed 92 x 116 cm)

The foreground is dominated by the powerful figure of the Greek god Apollo, dressed in a single robe that leaves much of his athletic body exposed. The god of arts and music holds his lyre, one of his most iconic attributes, in his hands. with the same arm, he holds a shepherd's crook: an unusual instrument for this deity, but one that allows us to understand the particular episode involving him.

The subject refers, in particular, to the mythical episode according to which Apollo was punished by Zeus for having exterminated the Cyclopes and forced to serve a mortal for nine years: his sentence was to protect, as a shepherd, the flocks of King Admetus (king of Pherae, in Thessaly).

This particular episode is very interesting because it also tells us the origin of the lyre as a sacred instrument to the god: in the Homeric hymns, it is said that Hermes, messenger of the gods, played a prank on Apollo: he stole his sheep and then used the intestines of some of them to create a lyre.

When an enraged Apollo managed to track it down, he fell in love with this celestial-sounding instrument and gave Hermes the cattle in exchange for the lyre, which later became one of his most iconic symbols.

Regarding the painting's origins, it is easy to trace its authorship to a Flemish artist active between the 17th and 18th centuries, but still rooted in the culture of the late Manner, with strong Italianate influences.

This explains the attribution to the workshop of Cornelis van Haarlem (Haarlem 1562–1638), one of the most representative artists of Northern Mannerism and one of the founders of the so-called "Haarlem School," an important pictorial movement active in this Dutch city. Its members favored mythological subjects, known for their powerful, muscular figures, dynamic compositions, and vibrant colors, in keeping with the Italian Mannerist style.

In particular, the painting draws inspiration from an iconographic prototype conceived by Bartholomew Spranger: in fact, observing his work entitled "Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus Cools," it is possible to note how the powerful figure of Bacchus, characterized by a virile pose and highly emphasized musculature, was extrapolated to give him the identity of Apollo instead.

It is well known that Members of this movement, especially Cornelis van Haarlem, were strongly influenced by Spranger, known for his elongated figures, especially nudes, and whose works were widely distributed through prints.

'Venus Cooling Without Ceres and Bacchus', Jan Muller, Dutch (print), After Bartholomeus Spranger, circa 1597

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a beautiful gilded frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic . 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



issues arising from misattribution See less