Antique Allegorical Mythological Oil Painting of Polyphemus and Galatea by Filippo Lauri, 19th Century

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A beautiful Italian antique hand-painted gilt wood framed oil on board Neoclassical painting of an allegorical scene depicting Polyphemus and … Read more A beautiful Italian antique hand-painted gilt wood framed oil on board Neoclassical painting of an allegorical scene depicting Polyphemus and Galatea. In Greek mythology, Polyphemus, a giant Cyclops, fell in love with the sea nymph Galatea, who instead loved the shepherd Acis. Enraged by jealousy, Polyphemus crushed Acis with a boulder, prompting Galatea to turn her lover's blood into a river-god, immortalizing him, as famously told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Key Aspects of the Myth:
-The Unrequited Love: Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, attempted to woo Galatea with songs and gifts, though he was despised for his brutality.
-The Murder: After finding Galatea and Acis together, Polyphemus killed Acis by throwing a huge rock from Mount Etna.
-The Transformation: Galatea, a Nereid (sea-nymph), used her powers to transform the blood of Acis into a river in Sicily to make him an immortal river spirit.

An antique early 19th century copy of the 17th century painting by Filippo Lauri

Measures: 17"W x 1"D x 13.25"H.

Very good original vintage condition. See less