Splendid 17th-century mythological oil painting on canvas depicting a subject of great fascination, namely Venus punishing Love/Cupid. We find the Goddess with her son on her lap; he tries to wriggle away frightened while Venus is ready to strike him with the scourge. Of course, this is an allegory where the blame for those who give themselves over to the will of Eros appears clear. Cupid in fact since antiquity was seen as a capricious god, causing calamity by his leading people to act foolishly or improperly in order to satisfy his own desire. Lying in the foreground we find Hephaestus with his hammer; Venus' husband looks amused at the scene along with his helpers, giants depicted in this particular composition with three eyes. A painting of great pictorial quality in every respect, particularly in the realization of the complexions in which the painter emphasizes the difference between the diaphanous, delicate skin of mother and son and the darker skin of the God of Fire and his Cyclopes. Artwork attributable to Italian painter Filippo Abbiati (1640-1715), among the leading exponents of the Milanese Baroque, lacking authentication. Spectacular antique coeval frame in carved, lacquered and gilded wood, in good condition with some signs of time. Painting that has been restretched and has undergone restoration with frame replacement and color restoration in some small places, overall in good state of preservation. Work part of a pair (see photos and ask for block price if still available). Size without frame: 111 x 142 cm.
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PLATINUM Seller in Cuneo, Italy
