Italian master (17th century) – Danae.

Italian master (17th century) – Danae.

27 x 43 cm without frame, 34 x 50 cm with frame.

Antique oil painting on wood, in a carved and gilded wooden frame from the 17th century.

Condition report: Reinforcement wooden band applied to the original board. Good condition of the pictorial surface with slight oxidation of the paint. The painting is presented in an antique 17th century frame.

Danae, daughter of King Acrisius and Princess of Argos, is a figure of Greek mythology known mainly for the myth, taken from "The Metamorphoses" by Ovid, which sees her as the protagonist together with Jupiter. According to a prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi, the death of King Acrisius at the hands of his future grandson was predicted. He, fearing for his life, decided to imprison the princess in a tower preventing her from having offspring. This did not stop Jupiter who fell in love with her and managed to unite with Danae through one of his most famous stratagems: transformed into golden rain, he entered between the holes of the tower and copulated with the girl.

From this union was born Perseus, a hero destined for great deeds, but when Acrisius learned of it he decided to exile him and his mother to escape the prophecy again. They were saved and later Perseus became known for his famous adventures, including the beheading of Medusa and the rescue of Andromeda. The unfortunate fate of King Acrisius was completed years later, when Perseus, participating in the discus race of the athletic games in Thessaly, accidentally hit the king, who was among the spectators.

The theme of Jupiter and Danae was very popular in ancient painting among the great masters of the sixteenth century, of the Baroque, up to the interpretation of Klimt and other twentieth century artists. In our painting we find, as usual, the princess without clothes and stretched out on a bed of white and red drapes, while Cupid opens the way to the rain of gold coins, prelude to conception.

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*Message aimed at non-Italian buyers:

Please note that this work has not yet obtained the certificate of free export from Italy from the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage. This document certifies that the work is not part of the Italian cultural heritage. Normally the times for issuing certificates are 40 days from the appointment date: The new legislation in force from 2021 provides for shorter times at the discretion of the expert commission for declared amounts lower than €13.500. All costs of this operation are included.