Antique copper painting oil artwork mythological flemish art 17th century

COD 11407
A refined 17th-century Flemish painting. This painting oil on copper depicts a splendid mythological scene, a marvelous landscape with Venus and a cupid. The young goddess is seated at the foot of a tree, weaving and receiving flowers from a smiling putto. The composition is immersed in a wooded landscape that opens onto a horizon rich in meticulous naturalistic details. The reference to the Flemish taste for rounded curves is evident, with the rendering of the flesh tones softly accented with rosy highlights, the modeling delicately modeled, and the chiaroscuro subtlety subtly applied.

It features an inscription on the back of the copper and the frame with references to the Baroque painter Valerio Castello (1624-1659). Presumably not contemporary, we believe this attribution to be unfounded, as the painting appears distant from the style of the great Genoese artist. It is more likely the work of a Northern European painter influenced by Italian taste or active in Italy in the first half of the 17th century. Hendrick Van Balen (1575-1632), a renowned painter from Antwerp, went to Rome to study classical art. At least twenty-six renowned students are attributed to him, and the copper in question may belong to his circle.

The artwork, small in size but of great lyrical intensity, is distinguished by the grace of the figures and the exquisite floral rendering. A captivating painting, easily placed in any setting, ideal for a collector of Nordic painting. A small Flemish jewel on a rare and precious support, perfect for enriching a wunderkammer, the so-called cabinet of curiosities. Non-contemporary 19th-century gilded wood frame, showing some signs of aging. The painting shows minor retouching, but is overall in excellent condition. Internal dimensions: H 16 x W 12 cm.
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