Diana and the nymphs surprised by Actaeon, Francesco Albani (Bologna 1578 – 1660), workshop of

Diana and her nymphs surprised by Actaeon
workshop of Francesco Albani (Bologna 1578 – 1660)

oil painting on canvas

62 cm x 75 cm.
framed 72 x 84 cm. (period frame)

Complete details of the painting (link: https://www.antichitacastelbarco.it/it/prodotti/diana-e-atteone-francesco-albani)

The proposed painting, depicting one of the episodes of the myth of Diana and Actaeon, can be attributed to a master active in the 17th century and trained on the stylistic and compositional examples of Francesco Albani from Bologna.

His training took place initially in the Bolognese workshop of the Flemish artist Denijs Calvaert and subsequently in the Accademia dei Carracci, giving the painter the opportunity to contribute to the diffusion of Bolognese classicism, providing an interpretation which, in the last part of his career, it sounded more idyllic and compliant with the most intimate tastes of the clients.

It is for this reason, in fact, that the most intense and productive aspect of Albani's workshop is to be found in the mythological paintings, rather than in those with a religious theme.

The composition in question draws inspiration from various works with a similar subject created by Francesco Albani: among these, naturally, the 'Actaeon transformed into a stag' and the 'Actaeon discovers Diana and her bathing nymphs', preserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris, prototypes of the numerous replicas and variations made by Albani during his life.

The classicism of the seventeenth century proposed idealized, ethereal and idyllic works of art, which were inspired by the great Renaissance masters such as Raphael and Titian and often dealt with themes from the ancient repertoire and classical mythology.

The illustrated subject, taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses (Ovid, “The Metamorphoses”, Book III, 2-8 AD) immortalizes the moment in which Actaeon, son of Aristaeus, involuntarily surprises the huntress goddess completely naked in a moment of rest, surrounded by her faithful companions who try in vain to protect her from the gaze of man.

The goddess, violated in her privacy by a mortal, to prevent young hunter Actaeon from telling what he had seen, decides to punish him severely and therefore transform him into a deer.

The painting is in good conservation conditions.

The painting is completed by a pleasant, partially re-gilded antique wooden frame and is sold complete with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

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