Orpheus And The Animals - Flemish School From The 17th Century - Bouttats

17th century Flemish Old Master - Orpheus charming the animals with his music

The present painting is full of delightful details, such as the unicorn galloping in the distance, the pair of storks in the air, the shiny feathers of the peacock, ... .

In ancient Greek mythology, Orpheus was celebrated for his extraordinary musical talent and his ability to charm and enchant all living creatures with the melodies of his lyre. Legend has it that wherever Orpheus traveled, he was accompanied by a menagerie of animals drawn to the uplifting strains of his music.In lush forests and verdant meadows, Orpheus would sit beneath the shade of ancient trees, strumming his lyre and filling the air with melodies that stirred the hearts of all who heard them. Birds would perch on branches, their songs blending harmoniously with Orpheus's own, while deer and rabbits emerged from their hiding places to listen, their eyes shining with wonder and delight.Even the fiercest of beasts, such as lions and wolves, would approach Orpheus with caution, only to be soothed by the gentle rhythms of his music. They would lie down beside him, their wild instincts tempered by the tranquility of the melodies, creating scenes of rare harmony and peace in the natural world.Orpheus's ability to connect with animals through his music was a testament to the universal power of art and creativity. His story serves as a reminder of the profound bond that exists between humans and the natural world, and the transformative impact that music and beauty can have on our lives.

Jacob Bouttas, born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1660, hailed from a family of artists with a rich artistic tradition. Like his father and teacher Frederic Bouttats II and his grandfather Frederic Bouttats I, he was strongly influenced by Jan Bruegel the Elder and the Brueghel-spirit echoes through his oeuvre. He specialized in painting landscapes with biblical  and mythological scenes populated by small figures and animals (visible in, amongst other collections, Munich, Alte Pinakothek; Dijon, Musée des Beaux-Arts). A series of twelve coppers dedicated to the creation of the world according to the Genesis story, from the separation of light and darkness to the descent of Adam is preserved in the Museum of Navarra. 

Provenance:
Private collection France

Measurements:
75 * 95 cms. Framing options available.

Antwerp hands panelmark visible verso, indicating a date of creation of the panel in the first half of the 17th century, after 1620. Panels were expensive at the time, especially this size and approved by the Antwerp panelmalers guild. A similar composition (measuring ca. 73 * 105cms) was offered at a leading auction house in Vienna in 2003 as attributed to Jacob de Backer with an estimate of 24-34000 euro.