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Circe and Her Lovers in a Landscape
Artist: Dosso Dossi (Italian, c. 1489–1542)
Date: c. 1525
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States
Description
The painting shows the legendary enchantress Circe surrounded by her lovers who are all turned into animals. Circe may not be a major figure in mythology but she sure is a girl boss of her island and unlucky is the man whose ship gets stranded on her shores.
#italian renaissance#landscape#artwork#mythological art#circe#animals#trees#foliage#stone tablet#greyhound#white little dog#stag#hawk#oil#der#spoonbill#nude figure#flower crown#open book#sorceress#blue horizon#mythological scene#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#italian culture#italian art#dosso dossi#italian painter
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Calliope
Artist: Joseph Fagnani (American, 1819–1873)
Date: 1869
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY, United States
Description
Joseph Fagnani (1819–1873), an Italian-born immigrant to America, painted this scene of the ancient Greek goddess, Calliope. She was the leading member of the Muses—patron goddesses of arts, sciences and creativity in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Hesiod (c. 8th century BCE) is thought to have been the first to list the canonical names of the Muses, and he positioned Calliope as the leader, or most prestigious member, of the group.
Ovid stated:
“Calliope. She, with her flowing hair in ivy wreath, rose up and strummed a few plangent chords to test her lyre strings, then firmly plucked them to launch at once on the following lay.” (Ovid, Metamorphoses, 5.335-340).
Such is the goddess that Joseph Fagnani brought to life with his painting. Calliope’s harmony between words and music are represented in the artwork. In one hand, she holds her written text, while in the other, she keeps her musical instrument at the ready.
#mythological art#greek goddess#artwork#greek mythology#calliope#patron of the arts#ovid's metamorphoses#literature#poetry#female figure#scroll#ivory gown#gold color shawl#bracelet#music#written text#musical instrument#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#american culture#american art#joseph fagnani#american painter#19th century painting#metropolitan museum of art
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Venus, Cupid and Ceres
Artist: Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (Dutch, 1562–1638)
Date: 1604
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Description
A newly discovered work by Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, this colorful painting interprets the ancient witticism, “Without food and drink, love grows cold.” Venus, Roman goddess of love, is joined by Cupid and Ceres, goddess of grain; Bacchus, god of wine, is present symbolically through the grapes. The supple, translucent flesh demonstrates the interest in naturalism that blossomed in Northern Europe in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, which led artists to work increasingly “from life,” that is, from observation of models.
#mythological art#goddess venus#artwork#roman mythology#cupid#goddess ceres#bacchus#symbolism#drapery#grapes#head dress#nude figure#winged figure#fruit#abundance#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#dutch culture#dutch art#cornelis cornelisz van harleem#dutch painter#european art#17th century painting#art institute of chicago
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Iris Carrying the Water of the River Styx to Olympus for the Gods to Swear By
Artist: Guy Head (English, 1753 - 1800)
Date: ca. 1793
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
#mythological art#landscape#young woman#translucent white robes#outstretched arms#golden ewer#aurora#dark blue sky#gray clouds#river#nature#verdant mountains#giant grotto#rainbow#reflection#trees#nude figure#female figure#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#english culture#english art#guy head#english painter#european art#18th century painting#nelson atkins museum of art
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Venus Healing Aeneas
Artist: Merry Joseph Blondel (French, 1781-1853)
Date: ca. 1820
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Venus Healing Aeneas
In this study for a larger painting of a scene from Virgil’s Aeneid, Merry Joseph Blondel depicted the epic poem’s protagonist, Aeneas, wounded and having dragged himself away from the battlefield. Hidden in a divine mist, the goddess Venus—Aeneas’s mother—and the river god Numicus come to his rescue. Numicus holds the hero as Venus administers a healing balm. The following lines from A. S. Kline’s translation of the poem describe the scene:
This Venus brought, her face veiled in dark mist, this, with its hidden curative powers, she steeped in river water, poured into a glittering basin, and sprinkled there healing ambrosial juice and fragrant panacea.
#mythological art#mythological scene#artwork#virgil's aeneid#epic poetry#literature#aeneas#wounded figure#mist#goddess venus#river god numicus#healing balm#nude figure#putti#bearded man#drapery#helmet#landscape#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#french culture#french art#merry joseph blondel#french painter#european art#19th century painting#art institute of chicago
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Neptune Resigning the Empire of the Sea to Britannia
Artist: William Dyce (Scottish,, 1806-1864)
Date: 1846-1847
Medium: Watercolour and gouache on paper
Collection: Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums, Aberdeen, Scotland
Description
The fresco for which this study was painted is situated on the stairwell at Osborne House, Isle of Wight. Osborne House was built in an Italianate style and was considered the Royal marine residence. A fresco with a maritime subject, celebrating Britain's success at sea, was therefore a fitting subject.
The scene illustrates the imminent coronation of Britannia by Mercury, who bridges the gap between land and sea -Neptune and Britannia. Britannia stands triumphant, her majesty reinforced by the figures surrounding her, their attributes signifying British industry. The female figure holds a distaff, symbolic of the textile industry and the male figure to the extreme right of the composition stands next to an anvil, representing the manufacture of iron and steel. The figure with his back to the spectator carries Mercury's caduceus, a symbol of peace, eloquence and reason, again reference to Britannia's virtues.
#mythological art#symbolism#artwork#mythological scene#ocean#seashore#blue horizon#white clouds#horses#coronation#britannia#mercury#british industry#distaff#anvil#marcury's caduceos#nude figures#drapery#mythological figures#watercolour painting#watercolour art#fine art#scottish culture#scottish art#european art#william dyce#scottish painter#19th century painting#aberdeen gallery and museum
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Venus and Cupid
Artist: Elisabetta Sirani (Italian, 1638-1665)
Date: 1664
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Private Collection
#mythological art#venus#cupid#mythological scene#goddess venus#winged figure#arch#woods#drapery#nude figure#arrows#mythology#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#baroque style#italian culture#italian art#elisabetta sirani#iralian painter#european art#17th century painting#private collection
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Bacchus on a Throne − Nymphs Offering Bacchus Wine and Fruit
Artist: Caesar van Everdingen (Dutch, 1616/1617–1678)
Date: ca. 1616/1617-1678
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Museum Kunstpalast, Dusseldorf, Germany
#mythological art#bacchus#throne#nymphs#wine#fruit#half-clad figures#lacquered bowl#mythological scene#mythological figures#architecture#tray#crown of wine leaves#rod of kyros#lynx's fur#wine cups#cornucopia#fruits#blossoms#god of wine#column#female figures#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#dutch golden age#dutch culture#dutch art
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The Toilette of Venus
Artist: Benedetto Gennari (Italian, 1633-1715)
Date: ca. 1674-1684
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, United States
#mythological art#the toilette of venus#artwork#goddess venus#roman mythology#putti#doves#drapery#jewelry box#pearl neclace#mirror#nude figure#bed#painting#fine art#oil painting#italian culture#italian art#benedetto gennari#italian painter#european art#17th century painting#los angeles county museum of art
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Urvashi
Artist: Ravi Parma Press
Date: 1890
Collection: Raja Ravi Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru, India
Description
Another love story bordering on a tragic, abrupt end. The beautiful celestial apsara Urvashi is sent down from the heavens and king Puruvanas falls in love with her. She Agrees to his proposal of marriage on the condition that he never neglects her pet goats and secondly, he will never present himself naked before her. Urvashi tells him that if he disobeys the two conditions at any time, she would go away.
Puruvanas remains rooted in love and stays true, causing dismay to the Devas, who want Urvashi back in their abode. Some of them come down stealthily at night and steal the goats; hearing the animals' cry Urvashi chides Puruvanas for letting go unattended. Rushing out to rescue them, the king is caught unaware as a flash of lighting reveals his naked self. With the second condition also broken, albeit unwittingly, Urvashi flies away to the heavens even as a dispirited Peruvanas desesperately tries to stop her departure.
#hindu mythology#celestial nymph#artwork#love story of peruvanas#love story#urvashi#puruvanas#hindu architecture#hindu art#lovers#departure#clouds#man#woman#beauty#longong#allure of the divine#painting#fine art#19th century painting
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Diana and Her Nymphs in a Clearing
Artist: Godefridus Schalcken (Dutch, 1643-1706)
Date: ca. 1685–1692
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: The Leiden Collection, New York City, NY, United States
#mythological art#mythological scene#artwork#goddess diana#crescent moon#pinne up hair#woods#short gown#ovid's metamorphoses#literature#poetry#arrow#bow#nymphs#hunting horn#quiver#cloa#hounds#foliage#grotto#mythological narrative#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#dutch culture#dutch art#godefridus schalcen#dutch painter#european art
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Venus
Artist: Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (Dutch, 1562–1638)
Date: 1620
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston, TX, United States
#mythological art#goddess venus#artwork#roman mythology#bust length#head piece#emerald green gosn#pearl necklace#shawl#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#dutch culture#dutch art#cornelis cornelisz van harleem#dutch painter#european art#17th century painting#the museum of fine arts houston
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Aurora and Tithonus
Artist: Sebastiano Ricci (Italian, 1659-1734)
Date: c. 1705
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Royal Collection Trust, London, United Kingdom
Description
Aurora, goddess of the dawn, fell in love with Tithonus, son of Laomedon and brother of Priam. She gained immortality for him but not youthfulness; hence he is shown here lying on the ground as an old man. Aurora floats above him, half naked on clouds, wearing a crown of roses and holding a chaplet of flowers in her upraised right hand. The three winged putti surrounding her hold a flaring torch, a basket of flowers and an urn; symbolizing the dawn's light, its generative power and the dew.
#mythological art#aurora#tithonus#cloud#goddess of dawn#old man#mythological scene#floating#nude figure#crown of roses#chaplet of flowers#winged putti#flaring torch#baset of flowers#urn#symbolism#male figure#female figure#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#italian culture#italian art#sebastiano ricci#italian painter#european art#18th century painting#royal collection trust
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Apollo Pursuing Daphne (after Flemish School)
Artist: British (English) School
Date: ca. 1674-1675
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: National Trust Collections, London, United Kingdom
Description
Classical portrait showing Apollo, on the left of Daphne, whose legs are turning into roots, and whose hands are sprouting twigs.
#mythological art#greek mythology#artwork#mythological scene#god apollo#daphne#root legs#mythological characters#nude figures#lush landscape#drapery#pursuing#twigs#river#bow#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#english culture#english art#british painter#flemish painter#17th century painting#european art#national trust collections
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Narcissus
Artist: Godfried Schalcken (Dutch, 1643 - 1706)
Date: c. 1680-1685
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, MA, United States
Description
In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a young man of exceptional beauty who fell in love with his own reflection. This self-love, or narcissism, was a result of a prophetic warning about his lifespan and his refusal to love others, particularly the nymph Echo. He eventually pined away for his unattainable love, and the flower known as the narcissus (daffodil) sprouted from where he died.
#mythological art#greek mythology#narcissus#mythological scene#self love#narcissism#pond#male figure#landscape#drapery#lush foliage#reflection#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#dutch culture#dutch art#godfried schalcken#dutch painter#european art#17th century painting#harvard art museum
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The Metamorphosis of the Dead Adonis
Artist: Marcantonio Franceschini (Italian, 1648–1729)
Date: After 1692
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Liechtenstein. The Princely Collections, Vaduz–Vienna
Description
The painting of “The Metamorphosis of the Dead Adonis” completes the six-part sequence illustrating Ovid’s narrative. In order to perpetuate the memory of Adonis, Venus sprinkled his body with nectar and transformed his blood into flowers that return every year with the spring but are fragile and soon torn to pieces by the wind, a symbol of love’s transience. Following Ovid’s description, Franceschini has rendered this seldom depicted act of transformation in the shape of a truly literal metamorphosis, even venturing to convey the coalescence of the dead body with the earth. The companions of Venus who are gazing in amazement at the miracle and delighting in the blood-coloured anemones are figures from the artist’s imagination and do not appear in Ovid’s account.
#greek mythology#mythological scene#artwork#garden#metamorphosis#literature#ovid's metamorphoses#lush landscape#flowers#ovid's narrative#poetry#adonis#venus#spring#nature#anemones#water jug#cupid#female figures#drapery#nude figure#painting#love's transience#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#italian culture#italian art#mercantonio francechini#italian painter
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Thetis Bring the Armor to Achilles
Artist: Benjamin West (American, active England, 1738-1820)
Date: 1804
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Description
This painting shows a pivotal scene from the storyline of the hero, Achilles, featured in Homer’s ancient epic poem, The Iliad, set during the mythical or legendary Trojan War. West’s painting takes a snapshot of a specific event that occurred well into Homer’s war-torn plot.
#mythological art#mythological painting#mythological scene#mythological characters#thetis#achilles#armor#trojan war#greek mythology#interior#bed#nude figure#drapery#pillow#textiles#warrior#helmet#literature#homer's iliad#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#american culture#american art#benjamin west#american painter#19th century painting#los angeles county museum of art
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