Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Doris Zinkeisen
The Death of Cyllarus

$2,522.01
£1,800
€2,156.29
CA$3,440.01
A$3,851.44
CHF 2,019.44
MX$47,586.97
NOK 25,446.17
SEK 24,020.17
DKK 16,088.58
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Gouache on board, signed lower left Image size: 18 x 15 inches  (46 x 38 cm) Contemporary frame This painting illustrates a passage from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', specifically from the section 'Cyllarus and Hylonome' in the 12th book. Here, Ovid tells the story of two Centaurs, Cyllarus and Hylonome, acting as a digression in the midst of the narration of the Battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs. Indeed, this story of ill-fated lovers is given by Ovid between the bloody battle scenes of the epic battle. Here, we see the instance shortly after Cyllarus is struck by a javelin during the battle. The bloodied javelin lies at the feet of the pair as Cyllarus writhes in pain from the unexpected blow. A translation of Ovid'a passage that depicts both of these character's deaths; 'A javelin (who threw it is unknown) came from the left and took you, Cyllarus, below the place where the chest swells to the neck. When the weapon was withdrawn the heart, though only slightly pierced, grew cold with the whole body. Immediately Hylonome clasped the dying limbs, sealed the wound with her hand, placed her mouth on his, and tried to prevent the passage of his spirit. Seeing he was dead, with words that the noise prevented from reaching my ears, she threw herself onto the spear that had pierced him, embracing her husband in dying.’ Doris Zinkeisen was perhaps best known for her work in the theatre producing various costumes and set designs. Early in her career, artist Doris Clare Zinkeisen met the esteemed actor and theatre manager Nigel Playfair, leading to her interest in this sphere of the arts. Zinkeisen created portraits of several actors, and she designed the scenery and costumes for Noel Coward's musical, On with the Dance. A similar theatricality can certainly be seen here in the composition and artistic choices that have been made with this work. Doris Zinkeisen was also well-known for her equine paintings, an interest triggered by her own enduring involvement and expertise as an award-winning horsewoman. Here, Zinkeisen's knowledge of the equine form is clear - the accurate proportions of the centaurs give the mythical creatures a realistic quality despite their overly dramatic poses and fictional origins.
  • Creator:
    Doris Zinkeisen (1898 - 1991, British)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    18 x 15Price: $2,522
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU52410556142

More From This Seller

View All
The Prelude, Early 20th Century Egg Tempera on board
By Francis Plummer
Located in London, GB
Francis Plummer 1930 - 2019 The Prelude Egg Tempera on board Image size: 39 ½ x 49 ¼ inches Original Frame This work comes from a rare collection of w...
Category

Early 20th Century Figurative Paintings

Materials

Egg Tempera

The Dance, 20th Century Oil Painting
By Francis Plummer
Located in London, GB
Oil on board Image size: 30 ¼ x 23 ½ inches Gilt frame Plummer specialised in the medium of egg tempera, a technique little used since the frescos of the Renaissance, he often work...
Category

Mid-20th Century English School Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Forgotten Journey, 20th Century British Artist, Signed and Dated 1939
By Harold Yates
Located in London, GB
Watercolour and ink on paper, signed and dated '1939' bottom left and entitled on the reverse Image size: 18 x 9 inches (45.75 x 23 cm) Original frame This is a wonderfully moving w...
Category

1930s Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Three Ages of Man, 20th Century Oil on Board Figurative Painting
Located in London, GB
Oil on board Image size: 16 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (42.5 x 26 cm) This work depicts the three stages of life: infancy, adulthood and old age.
Category

20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Exiled, Early 20th-Century Pre-Raphaelite Oil on board
By Francis Plummer
Located in London, GB
Francis Plummer 1930 - 2019 Exiled Oil on board Image size: 20 ½ x 24 ½ inches Framed This rare collection of works from the artists estate, painted i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Pre-Raphaelite Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Figurine, 20th Century Oil on Board Signed Painting, Contemporary Frame
Located in London, GB
Mayer 20th Century Figurine Oil on board, signed lower right Image size: 16 x 13 inches Contemporary frame
Category

20th Century Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

You May Also Like

The Old World
By Russell Cowles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old World, by 1943, oil on canvas, signed lower right, 43 ½ x 30 ½ inches, artist’s name and title inscribed verso; exhibited 1) Romantic Painting in America, Museum of Modern Art, N...
Category

1940s Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

1940s Symbolist Figurative -- Her Holy Visions
By Marguerite Blasingame
Located in Soquel, CA
Symbolic figurative of woman having visions with religious themes and icons (cross, bride, salamander, crown, meeting Christ) while reading by Marguerite Louis Blasingame (American; 1906-1947), circa 1940-45. Marguerite and her husband Frank Blasingame...
Category

1940s Futurist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Hercules
Located in Toronto, ON
34" x 42" Unframed Original Acrylic on Canvas Hand Signed by Joe Lasker (on back)
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Interior Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

The Sacrifice
Located in San Francisco, CA
Given the subject of this painting, you won't be surprised to learn that actor and artist Vincent Price was a patron of Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), this work's American artist. Additi...
Category

1950s Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Allegory
By Walter Beach Humphrey
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Signature: Signed Lower Left Medium: Tempera and Watercolor on Board Contemporary Art Deco style frame; art exhibition entry label from Hudson Valley Art...
Category

1930s Figurative Paintings

Materials

Tempera, Watercolor, Board

The Zodiac
By Vladimir Ullianoff
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An original mixed media watercolor/gouache by Russian artist Vladimer Ullianoff. Ullianoff was credited for his large paintings and mural work in venues such as Graumans Chinese Theater...
Category

1920s Figurative Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media