Angelica Kauffman, Hector Taking Leave of Andromache, 1780, OIl Painting

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Stunning large scaled Oil Painting of Hector Taking Leave of Andromache after the original by Angelica Kauffman 1741-1807 of the … Read more Stunning large scaled Oil Painting of Hector Taking Leave of Andromache after the original by Angelica Kauffman 1741-1807 of the original Angelica Kauffman sent this Homeric painting to the inaugural exhibition of the Royal Academy in 1769. Hector Taking Leave of Andromache depicts a famous episode from Homer’s great epic, The Iliad: the doomed Trojan hero, Hector, heading for battle, bids a reluctant, lingering but ultimately steadfast farewell to his wife Andromache and their child, Astyanax. Kauffman likely also drew inspiration from Comte de Caylus’s recently published handbook Tableaux tirés de l'Iliade, de l'Odyssée d'Homere et de l'Eneide de Virgile (1757). Hector and Andromache hold hands and gaze tenderly at each other, contrasting with their son, Astyanax, who looks at the nurse’s eyes instead of his father's, potentially referencing the boy’s fear of Hector’s ‘nodding’ helmet in the Iliad. Here, Kauffman explores her trademark interests in masculine heroism and feminine fortitude, and in the conflicts between public duty and private life by fusing a storyline about heroic sacrifice with a more intimate, domestic narrative of farewell. This painting was one of a set of four classical scenes probably commissioned for the Grand Saloon at Saltram House in Devon, but which instead hung on the main staircase there. These paintings together contrasted love and war, male and female roles, passion and judgement, and represented difficult choices. A very good looking well made and decorative piece, the frame is a George III style carved and gesso painted overmantel in oak, its rare to see such a large and well crafter frame, it looks similar to a Trumeau mirror but without the mirror of course Condition wise the frame has been cleaned waxed and polished, the painting has been left as it is, the overall condition is wonderful for the period, it is free from damage and repairs, it simply has age appropriate patina Dimensions Height: 69cm Width: 138.5cm Depth: 6cm All measurements are taken at the widest points. Condition Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the around condition Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade. See less