Oil on panel from the mid-17th century painted by a skilled painter from central Italy, reproducing the central fresco of the ceiling of the Casino dell'Aurora Pallavicini in Rome, executed by Reni in 1614.
Reni imagined the rising of the Sun from the sea. Against the backdrop of a still nocturnal and cloudy sky, Aurora, the first figure from the right, hovers in the sky carrying in each hand a garland of roses alluding to the color of the sky at dawn.
The cherub immediately behind her is Phosphorus, the first star of the morning, carrying a torch representing the arrival of light. Next follows a chariot pulled by four fiery horses with coats of different colors to indicate the different degrees of light that precede the appearance of the Sun; it is guided by Helios, Aurora's brother and personification of the sun, here assimilated to Apollo, god of light.
The quadriga is surrounded by a group of dancing girls who can be identified as the Hours.
The scene is completely reversed compared to the original; in fact, the best way to enjoy this fresco is to stand below it and look at it with a mirror, as the skilled painter who rendered it on this beautiful walnut panel certainly did.
The panel measures 38 cm in height x 95 cm in length; its contemporary Salvador Rosa frame is original and measures 53cm x 108cm in length.
We attach a historical certificate of authenticity to the sale
