Fireback Mythological Scene Kidnapping Of Orithye By Borée (112x88 Cm)

18th century fireback, mythological scene of Borée removing Orithye. Erechtheus, king of Athens, is the father of two daughters, among others. One of them, Procris, becomes the happy wife of Cephalus, a descendant of Aeolus. His other daughter Orithye is coveted by Boreas, the North Wind who fails, by persuasion, to obtain the agreement of her father for their marriage, decides to kidnap her in a whirlwind. He shook his wings, whose beats spread his breath over the whole earth and make the vast surface of the sea shiver. Dragging on the summits of the mountains, his coat of dust, he sweeps the earth and, protected by the darkness, the lover seizes in his tawny wings his beloved distraught with terror and takes her to the country of Thrace, where he marries her and makes her the mother of twins, Calaïs and Zétès, named the Bauréades, who, having become adults, will leave with the Mynians to conquer the Golden Fleece. In the 18th century, desire expressed itself freely, victorious over morality and transgressed prohibitions, the work depicts the violence accompanying thwarted amorous desires. In the last photo, an oil on canvas by Sebastiano Conca (1680-1764) illustrates this scene (Louvre Museum). The abduction is presented in a medallion surrounded by palms and holly, a ribboned beam frames it at the upper corners in a spandrel, flanked by acanthus clasps. It should be noted an insignificant crack in the upper left corner. Fireback found in Chailland in Mayenne. Its weight is 123 kg. Bibliography: CARPENTIER H., Fireplace plates, Volume first, F. DE NOBELE, Paris, 1967, page 358 No. 999. You can visit our site: www.claudeaugustin.com