Scene Of Figures At The Fountain – Mannerist School, 17th Century – Oil On Panel

Oil on wood panel depicting a group of figures gathered around a well or fountain, carrying and handling numerous jugs and ewers.

The composition, which is particularly dense and lively, draws on a stylistic vocabulary inherited from Mannerism of the second half of the 16th century: elongated silhouettes, contoured postures, sweeping gestures, elaborate hairstyles, and drapery with accentuated volume.

In the foreground, a young woman leaning over the basin, dressed in a blue-gray gown with puffed yellow sleeves, structures the composition with the strong diagonal formed by her body and arm. Gathered around her are several female figures holding vases, while in the background a young man, seen from behind, carries a jug over his shoulder.

The iconography could evoke a biblical scene related to a well, perhaps inspired by episodes involving Rebecca, Rachel, or the daughters of Jethro, though the subject cannot be identified with certainty. It may also be an allegorical or decorative scene centered on the theme of water.

The work appears to be based on a 16th-century Mannerist model, likely transmitted through an engraving or an unidentified composition, and was probably executed during the 17th century, perhaps in its second half.

Painting on a solid wood panel, consisting of a single plank. The reverse, which is relatively even and carefully prepared, exhibits a uniform, aged patina. The painted surface shows fine age-related craquelure, as well as some wear, small losses, and old restorations.

A beautiful decorative piece, notable for the quality of its composition, the Mannerist elegance of its figures, and its small cabinet format.

Shipping: 18 euros within France, 35 euros within the EU, and 100 euros to the rest of the world.