La Continenza di Scipione, 17th-century, Oil on Panel, Framed

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Oil on panel. North European school of the seventeenth century.The scene depicts an episode in the life of Scipio narrated … Read more Oil on panel. North European school of the seventeenth century.The scene depicts an episode in the life of Scipio narrated by Livy and Valerius Maximus. Publius Cornelius Scipio, later known as Scipio Africanus, in 209 BC during the Spanish campaign, after the capture of Cartagena received as a personal tribute a beautiful virgin, who was in the group of hostages. But he, listening to the pleas of his family, respected her by sending her back to her parents and her boyfriend, with the only recommendation that her betrothed would work for peace between Rome and Carthage. In the depiction, Scipio is in the center, seated on his throne, and turns to the left, the parents of the supplicant girl, while with a gesture of clemency, indicates to them to take back their daughter, standing on the right, flanked by the boyfriend. All around, soldiers and followers of the king.The scene is rich in figures, bright and colorful, and emphasizes the positivity of the king, central character and powerful, but capable of mildness and clemency.The painting, restored, has been reinforced to the back with wooden slats. Presented in frame style. 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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