Elegant pair of French paintings from the 18th century. Oil-on-canvas works of remarkable painterly quality depicting two mythological scenes of great charm: Mercury delivers the golden apple to Paris and Hippomenes receives the three golden apples from Venus. Thus, in one scene we find the messenger of the gods intent on delivering the apple of discord to Paris. The young man has been chosen by Zeus to decide who is the most beautiful among Venus, Juno and Athena, and his judgment will fall on the goddess of love, thus triggering the Trojan War. In the other composition, however, we find Venus delivering three golden apples to Hippomenes. The beautiful Atalanta was a great hunter and excelled in running; forced by her father to take a husband, she agrees to give herself only to those who beat her in the race, and to win the race Hippomenes asks Venus for help. The goddess then gives him three golden apples advising him to drop them one by one during the competition in order to slow the maiden down. Paintings of great refinement; note the quality in the execution of the flesh tones and drapery as well as wonderful details such as the Cupid looking at us by breaking the fourth wall. Non-coeval antique frames in carved and gilded wood with some signs of time. Works that have been restretched and undergone restoration with frame replacement and color restoration in some small places. Overall in good state of preservation. Size without frame: 37.5 x 26 cm.
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PLATINUM Seller in Cuneo, Italy
