Jupiter & Antiope. Dirk De Quade Van Ravesteyn (1565-1620). Att

Dutch school from the end of the 16th century around 1590 Oil on copper: 50 x 65 cm. Framed: 67 x 82 cm Presented in a very beautiful Louis XIII period frame in carved and gilded wood decorated with packets of oak leaves and acorns. The very pretty Antiope was desired by Jupiter (Zeus) who took the form of a satyr to abuse her during her sleep. Seeing herself pregnant and fearing the wrath of her father, Nyctée, she fled to Sicyone where King Epic married her. But beyond the mythology, we must see in this magnificent painting rather the portrait of a real person (not a tronie), the artist represented her under the features of Antiope surely because of her beauty, the sponsor is probably the husband or the lover? As for the author, we immediately see a Nordic, Mannerist origin, from the end of the 16th century, who was able to highlight the androgyny of the body with drawn abdominals and just emerging breasts. But if we only detail the face, a resemblance to the portraits of Gaspard Netcher is disturbing, but for the rest of the composition nothing of his style. So we can give this very attractive oil on copper to the workshop of: Dirk de Quade van Ravesteyn (1565-1620) Artist of Dutch origin, who around 1589 entered the service of Rudolf II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (Germanic his name appears in the court records). His presence in Prague is attested until 1608. And his works bear witness to Nordic, Italian and perhaps French influences. After having certainly served his apprenticeship in the studio of Frans Floris, Dirck de Quade van Ravesteyn painted his first dated works in collaboration with Hans and Paul Vredeman de Vries, architectural painters. Very good state of preservation. Sold with a certificate.