Items Similar to Jupiter and Mercury received by Philemon and Baucis
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18
August François Marie GorguetJupiter and Mercury received by Philemon and Baucis1891
1891
About the Item
Canvas size: 57 3/4 x 45 1/2 inches
A striking and impressive French Academic painting in a high quality Italian style gold leaf frame.
Gorguet was an Academic French artist who was trained by Boulanger, Gerome, Bonnat and Morot. His academic training was so strong that he was asked by the Opera House to illustrate many of their posters and he made his living illustrating many books of the time. In the market today this is most of what circulates and comes to light by the artist. He was ultimately made a professor of Drawings at L’Institut.
However, Gorguet was also a Symbolist artist and did works aligned with the Art Nouveau movement. Many of these works are quite impressive but rarely have surfaced in the art market. Jupiter and Mercury Received by Philemon and Baucis is more of an Allegorical work and Gorguet switched gears to do a painting which would garner International attention at the important Concourse du Prix de Rome competition. 1891 was a year where the competition would be stiff and he knew he had to do an impressive painting with a compelling historical or allegorical content. In this painting, Gorguet is depicting their Jupiter and Mercury’s arrival at their home and the indication that Philemon and Baucis will share what they have with them despite their poverty-stricken means.
The technical execution of this work is exceptional as the figurative work is done masterfully and any small detail within the canvas demonstrates tremendous attention of subtlety of tone and modeling. An example is the strand of cloth that crosses Jupiters chest and the delicate shades of pink and gray and how it is modeled. More than ever, the academic artists of this period are to be appreciated for the quality and creativeness of their work. And the timelessness of these classical allegories are still applicable to our lives today. So we predict a turn back toward work like this as qualitatively we know it will never be done again.
Story of Jupiter and Mercury Visiting Philemon and Baucis
(one interpretation)
According to ancient Roman mythology and Ovid's Metamorphoses (8.631, 8.720.), Philemon and Baucis had lived out their long lives nobly, but in poverty. Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts as to their goodness.
Jupiter was about to destroy mankind but was willing to give it one final chance before starting over again. So, in the company of his son Mercury, the wing-footed messenger god, Jupiter went about, disguised as a worn and weary traveler, from house to house among the neighbors of Philemon and Baucis. As Jupiter feared and expected, the neighbors turned him and Mercury away rudely. Then the two gods went to the last house, the cottage of Philemon and Baucis, where the couple had lived all their long married lives.
Philemon and Baucis were pleased to have visitors and insisted that their guests rest before their little hearth fire. They even lugged in more of their precious firewood to make a greater blaze. Unasked, Philemon and Baucis then served their presumably starving guests, fresh fruits, olives, eggs, and wine.
Soon the old couple noticed that no matter how often they poured from it, the wine pitcher was never empty. They began to suspect that their guests might be more than mere mortals. Just in case, Philemon and Baucis decided to provide the closest they could come to a meal that was fit for a god. They would slaughter their only goose in their guests' honor. Unfortunately, the legs of the goose were faster than those of Philemon or Baucis. Even though the humans were not as fast, they were smarter, and so they cornered the goose inside the cottage, where they were just about to catch it.... At the last moment, the goose sought the shelter of the divine guests. To save the life of the goose, Jupiter and Mercury revealed themselves and immediately expressed their pleasure in meeting an honorable human pair. The gods took the pair to a mountain from which they could see the punishment their neighbors had suffered -- a devastating flood.
Asked what divine favor they wanted, the couple said that they wished to become temple priests and die together. Their wish was granted and when they died they were turned into intertwining trees.
- Creator:August François Marie Gorguet (1862 - 1927, French)
- Creation Year:1891
- Dimensions:Height: 62 in (157.48 cm)Width: 49.75 in (126.37 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Relined to stabilize cracks that are evident upon close inspection but completely normal to a painting of this age. Canvas is in lovely condition - ready to hang. Frame is new high quality reproduction of high value.
- Gallery Location:Greenwich, CT
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are highly rated and consistently exceed customer expectations.
Established in 1857
1stDibs seller since 2020
34 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Port Chester, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- At the Market, FlowersLocated in Greenwich, CTA grand, elegant and Classic French still life of flowers! Can hold an entire room and long length of wall. Beautiful, opulent color tones so extra lighting is not necessary. Great presentation in the Empire style frame, 22 Karat. Undoubtedly Perrachon’s most ambitious canvas, it still has all of the qualities of his smaller rose paintings which gained him great recognition. As with any of the Lyon trained flower painters, Perrachon’s painting displays sound draughtsmanship, luminous colors and clever composition. This particular painting was exhibited at the Lyon Salon in 1898. Chez la Marchande de Fleurs presents a stunning array of blooms, among them roses and lilacs, set against a richly-textured ground. Perrachon creates a brilliant play of light against the baskets and pots of flowers, skillfully rendering highlight and shadow in order to create a sumptuous and beautiful composition. A flower and still life painter, André Perrachon was a student of Lepage at the Ecole des Beaux Arts of Lyon. Lyon produced an important and remarkable school of flower painters in the 19th century of which Perrachon is an excellent exponent. Perrachon debuted in the Paris salon in 1850 and won honorable mentions in both 1859 and 1863, continuing afterwards to exhibit regularly in the Paris and Lyon Salons. Perrachon was also a most popular art...Category
1890s Academic Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Still Life, Flowers and FruitLocated in Greenwich, CTA stunning and dramatic still life by noted Belgian 19th century artist, David De Noter. Framed in a complimentary Empire style 22 karat hand carved frame....Category
1860s Academic Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Grand Canal, VeniceBy Warren W. SheppardLocated in Greenwich, CTHighly respected American painter Warren Sheppard depicts the fishing boats of Venice with their colorful sails along the still waters of the Adriatic Sea. Sheppard is famous for his...Category
19th Century Academic Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Pair of Miner BookendsBy Max KalishLocated in Greenwich, CTMax Kalish was an important and highly collected American sculptor desired for his depictions of the working man. Here we see a miner taking a break. Kalish was adept at conveying ...Category
1920s Academic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Sculpture of "A Rearing Bull" by animalier Antoine-Louis BaryeBy Antoine-Louis BaryeLocated in Greenwich, CTAntoine-Louis Barye was acclaimed as the finest sculptor of the French Animaliers School. As a 19th century sculptor he was an advocate for both naturalism and romanticism. This rear...Category
19th Century Academic Still-life Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Under a Divided Sky, Seascape of ShipwreckBy Alfred Thompson BricherLocated in Greenwich, CTA romantic and moving work by on of America's top Coastal painters of the 19th century! A large-scale and impressive work with lovely light. This painting can hold a large spot. It is in a classic 19th century marine style frame, 22 Karat gold. The size of the canvas inside the frame is 30.25 x 50.25. Bricher sketched and painted along the New England coast, depicting long stretches of shore under varying skies of Massachusetts and Maine. Under a Divided Sky is a departure from his often calm or fair views. Bricher focused upon an old wreck that is a moving and poetic reminder of man’s vulnerability in relation to the vicissitudes of the sea. To heighten this feeling, Bricher has imparted a contrast to the sky. It is either a clearing as a storm departs, which would be a metaphor for hope or the storm is impending, which parallels the tragedy at hand. Bricher was a second-generation Hudson River painter but as his career progressed he became engrossed with depictions of the coast as opposed to the landscapes he often did in the 1860’s and early 1870’s. The artists that had the greatest influence on him were Martin Johnson Heade, Fitz Hugh Lane...Category
1880s Hudson River School Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
You May Also Like
- Seashore, Original oil Painting, Ready to hangBy Karen DarbinyanLocated in Granada Hills, CAArtist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: Classic Art, Impressionism, Subject: Ocean Breeze, Size:...Category
2010s Academic Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Ocean Breeze Large Seascape Oil Painting, Handmade ArtworkBy Karen DarbinyanLocated in Granada Hills, CAArtist: Karen Darbinyan Work: Original Oil Painting, Handmade Artwork, One of a Kind Medium: Oil on Linen, Year: 2019 Style: Classic Art, Impressionism, Subject: Ocean Breeze, Size:...Category
2010s Academic Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- L'odalisque à l'éventail (The Odalisque with the Fan)By Léon François ComerreLocated in New Orleans, LALéon François Comerre 1850-1916 French L'odalisque à l'éventail (The Odalisque with the Fan) Signed "Léon Comerre" (upper left) Oil on canvas Combinin...Category
Late 19th Century Academic Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Return Of Columbus In Chains To Cadiz By Emanuel LeutzeLocated in New Orleans, LAEmanuel Leutze 1816-1868 American Return of Columbus in Chains to Cadiz Signed E. Leutze / Philadelphia (lower right) Oil on canvas Painted by the artist in 1842, this masterpiec...Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Portrait of Napoléon IILocated in New Orleans, LAThe son of the legendary Napoléon Bonaparte, Napoléon François Charles Joseph, takes a spirited stance in this remarkable oil painting attributed to the Austrian portraitist Johann Peter Krafft. Believed to have been exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, this work stands as a testament to both Austrian artistry and the legacy of one of the most powerful men in history. After Napoléon's exile to the island of Elba in 1814, his son was seen by many of his supporters as the last hope of France. The child was named the ruler of half of Europe, holding the titles of Napoléon II...Category
Early 19th Century Academic Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- The Battle Of Copenhagen By John Stevens DewsBy John Steven DewsLocated in New Orleans, LAJohn Steven Dews b.1949 | British The Bombardment of Copenhagen Signed "J Steven Dews" (lower left) Oil on canvas This masterpiece by John Dues, entitled The Bombardment of Copenh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Academic Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Impressive Painting
Antique Mercury
French Academic
1891 Painting
They Wanted To Live
Light Switch Art
Just In Case
Art Nouveau French Painting
Black Train Case
House Guests
Academic Movement Painting
Smart Painting
Academic Classical
Wanted Antique Paintings
4 Black And Gold Framed Art
Wine Paintings France
Still Life Painting 1891
Antique Goose