A fabulous antique circa 1700's painting in the school of Poussin after his 'Apollo & Daphne.' Beautiful colours, wonderful subject matter and beautifully intriquing, it's in the reverse of the original piece by Poussin.
Reverse replications of classical paintings are sometimes found, often based on an engraving which would have been printed in reverse, thus the painter copied from such. There is a Dutch 17th century engraving of this piece however this painter had to have had access to the original as the colours are true to Poussins. Same colours, same lines, quite a rare and special painting.
The frame is a much later addition. Oil on canvas. Canvas is fastened with hand forged nails. The painting is in need of a cleaning and restoration. There is one tear at the bottom center, some fine lines and roll to the canvas in the upper right corner. The canvas measures 22 1/4" x 26." The frame measures 28.5" x 32." $1800.00. More photos available.
*Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) was a leading French painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome. Most of his works were on religious and mythological subjects painted for a small group of Italian and French collectors.
*Apollo bragged to Cupid that his bow was bigger than Cupid’s. Angered, Cupid shot him with a golden love arrow causing Apollo to fall in love with the first person he saw. Cupid then shot Daphne with a lead-tipped arrow causing her to be impervious to love. Fleeing Apollo she reached her father, the river god Peneus who transformed her into a laurel tree leaving Apolllo to mourn by the tree.
