French school around 1690 - Lot 18

Lot 18
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Estimation :
3000 - 4000 EUR
French school around 1690 - Lot 18
French school around 1690 Venus receives from Vulcan weapons for Aeneas Oil on canvas, oval format (lined in the 19th century) 71 x 56 cm (Wear and restorations) In a beautiful Louis XIV period gilded wood frame decorated with foliage and fruits Taken from Virgil's Aeneid (VIII, 370-453), this subject has been extensively treated by painters, from Rubens and Van Dyck to Natoire and Boucher. Considered by the Romans as the founder of their country, - and by Caesar as his ancestor! -Aeneas was born from the secret love of Venus and the Trojan Anchises. Having escaped from Troy after the destruction of the city, he came after a journey to settle in Italy. But he needed weapons. Venus then played her seduction with the blacksmith god Vulcan, the dirty and lame husband she was shamelessly cheating on, and showered him with voluptuousness so that he would forge an armor for the son born of another layer than his own. Our painting is set in the morning, when Vulcan is delighted and gives Venus the armor and helmet he has just made. The fire is still glowing in the forge, Vulcan leans on his hammer, and some lovers surround the scene, very happy about the role they have played; one of them even caps the helmet destined for Aeneas, while Venus hides her still bare chest by means of the breastplate.
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