Arcadian Revelry - Carel De Moor II (1655-1738)

The painting depicts a forested landscape in which a couple of men have fallen asleep, observed by three curious women. Two peer through the branches of a tree, whilst the third, and boldest, leans around over a rock to get a closer look at the slumbering men. The painting invokes notions of an arcadian utopia, full of merry people and beautiful scenery.

The work is truly remarkable, with immense attention to detail in regard to the clothing of the figures. The fabric lies draped and crumpled across the figures' bodies in an incredibly accurate manner, with light reflecting off of their silky surfaces. De Moor has also rendered the physicality of his figures with exceptional detail. There is a contrast between the muscular body of the sleeping man and the buxom bodies of the female figures. This demonstrates de Moor's astonishing ability to paint different physiques, paying testament to his early training studying Old Master works.

With this intense focus on details and immense accuracy, it is little wonder that de Moor was one of Cosimo III de' Medici's favourite artists.

Carel de Moor II

Considered on of the most important Dutch portrait painters of the late 17th and early 18th Century, De Moor was born in Leiden in 1655. The son of an art dealer and wood worker, specialising in frames, de Moor was encouraged to pursue his artistic studies from an early age. De Moor learned from a number of different masters and quickly gained recognition beyond the boarders of Leiden, impressing Cosimo III de' Medici with a self-portrait and painting the portraits of Tzar Peter the Great and his wife Catherine.

Though de Moor was known for his portraits, he also produced highly detailed and often small-scale genre and history paintings early in his career.

De Moor was knighted by Emperor Charles VI in 1714 and he passed away in 1738.