Late 17th Century Dutch Painting Of Mercury Appearing To Herse From Ovid's Metamorphoses

Circle of Gerard Hoet (1648–1733)

Title: A late 17th century Dutch Old Master oil on panel composition depicting the mythological scene of Mercury appearing to Herse from Ovid's Metamorphoses

Medium: Oil on panel

Provenance: From a private Derbyshire collection.

Overall measurements with the original hand carved frame is 26cm x 24cm x 4cm and the painting measured at 17cm x 14cm

A most beautifully intricate and detailed small oval late 17th century Dutch Old Master oil on panel composition depicting the mythological scene of Mercury appearing to Herse from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The artwork is an oil on panel, oval in shape, and with what appears to be its original gilt carved oval frame. There are the remnants of two very old wax seals to the verso of the panel.

The painting is very close to the work of the Dutch Master Gerard Hoet, and depicts the mythological scene of Mercury appearing to Herse from Ovid's Metamorphoses. We believe the painting to most likely date from the period circa 1650-1700.

This beautifully composed small but incredibly detailed painting portrays Mercury, identifiable by his winged feet falling in love with Herse, daughter of Cecrops. Herse is shown with her sisters, Pandrosus and Aglauros.

The painting captures the moment Mercury first sees Herse. In mythology Aglauros, envious of Mercury's affection for Herse, is later turned to stone.

Gerard Hoet was born in Zaltbommel and was taught the first elements of painting and drawing by his father, the glass painter Moses Hoet, and continued his education in the studio of Warnard van Rijsen, who himself had been a pupil of Cornelis van Poelenburgh.

In 1672 Hoet moved to courtly The Hague and set up his own studio as an independent master. The following year he travelled to Paris.

The painter settled in Utrecht after further travels where he was patronised by Frederick van Nassau van Zuylestein along with various Noblemen from the direct entourage of Stadtholder-King William III Hoet founded a drawing academy in 1697.

Hoet specialised in highly refined paintings which subjects mostly taken from mythology, ancient history and the bible, generally set in idyllic Arcadian landscapes.

Hoet's paintings personify the classicising style of Dutch academic art.

Condition report:

In excellent cleaned condition with a few scattered microscopic marks commensurate with its age. Overall in original state in terms of paint from what we can establish. The tonality is excellent, and the paint surface is stable.

The panel is level and in good stable condition with no splits and free of old woodworm. The hand carved and gilt frame is scattered with traces of old woodworm.

We have treated it with a proprietary woodworm treatment as a precaution but we think it's most likely been treated in the past as the woodworm appears to have been inactive for some time. The frame is offered as gift; please refer to the notes below regarding frames.

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Note:

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