Episodes from the myth of Diana, Bon Boullogne (Paris, 1649 - Paris, 1717), workshop of

Bon Boullogne (Paris, 1649 - Paris, 1717), workshop of Episodes from the myth of Diana oil on canvas 84 x 114 cm, with antique frame 100 x 132 cm. All details relating to this painting can be viewed at the following - link - The beautiful painting on offer shows a series of episodes from the myth of the goddess Diana, Roman goddess of the hunt, woods and wild animals, masterfully depicted in this valuable painting, which shows a lush forest, the deity's favorite place, as the setting for her adventures. The composition opens, on the left, with a sort of presentation of the deity, portrayed as a beautiful young maiden, surrounded by her faithful Nymphs, one of whom holds her quiver with arrows, and by one of her beloved hunting dogs. The 'story' continues in the central part where we can see the deity during a wild boar hunt, again with the goddess preparing to shoot an arrow at a boar. The other two scenes, however, concern Diana's love life, particularly with Orion, a valiant hunter with whom the deity fell in love. The scene could represent a moment of intimacy between the two, interrupted by a curious satyr, surprised and punished by Orion himself with the help of a nymph. To conclude, the author wanted to depict the tragic moment when the goddess weeps over the body of her beloved lying on the ground, killed by mistake by an arrow shot by Diana herself, the result of a trap set by her jealous brother Apollo, upset by the love his sister felt for a mortal. Here we see Diana vainly imploring Asclepius, the deity capable of bringing the dead back to life, to bring the young Orion back to life, who will instead be transformed by Zeus into the constellation of the same name. The painting is attributed to the workshop of the painter Bon Boullogne (Paris, 1649 - Paris, 1717), an exemplary exponent of French painting of the second half of the 17th century and a member of a dynasty of painters (he was the son of the painter Louis Boullogne, and brother of Louis, Geneviève and Madeleine, all active in their father's workshop) famous for their mythological compositions. His stay in Rome, from 1670 to 1675, at the French Academy funded by Louis XIV, allowed the painter to study the great Italian masters, shaping a style that upon his return to Paris would make him extremely sought after with his paintings of great decorum, suitable, then as now, for embellishing high-level bourgeois homes. In the canvas in question, we find all the typical components of the imaginative French master, elaborated from much of Italian painting of the 17th century, especially Roman and Bolognese, drawing from the styles of the Carracci and Correggio, with a direct lineage in particular from Domenichino (recall the hunt of Diana in the Borghese Gallery), while the chromatic timbre of the entire composition reflects the clear and luminous tones of Reni, Maratti and Albani. The great tradition of early Roman Baroque painting is revisited by Boullogne on a cultural basis that does not even neglect the influence of Nicolas Poussin. The canvas is in good condition with several restored areas and a layer of surface oxidation. The photographs published were taken using professional lighting, so the painting may appear slightly darker if not adequately illuminated. The work is accompanied by a beautiful gold frame, antique but not contemporary. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda; we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/