Martha Ochoa Paintings

Flemish school, 17th century Orpheus and the animals Oil on canvas, 146,5 x 217 cm Provenance: South German private collection. On an impressive, room-filling format, this painting depicts "Orpheus and the Animals." The harp-playing Orpheus sits centrally in front of a tree whose trunk bifurcates above his head. This central tree frames with its crown the scenery towards the horizon and at the same time offers through branches the possibility for many birds to find space. The left half of the picture is characterized by a seascape, at the edge of which the ruins of a castle can be seen deep in the background. This seascape, framed by mountains on the horizon, is the only area where sky can be seen. On this side, waterfowl such as storks, swans and ducks can be seen. In the right half, the viewer looks into a deep European forest. On this right side, more land animals can be found, such as deer, rabbits and lions, among others. Orpheus wears opulent red and gold trimmed clothing, under his blue breastplate we see a white shirt. His feet are adorned by elaborate sandals. His head is surrounded by a radiant laurel wreath ("poeta laureatus"). The young man is clearly identifiable as the singer and poet of Greek mythology, Orpheus, by his harp, the laurel wreath and the animals surrounding him. Orpheus was one of the Argonauts who, under Jason, was searching for the Golden Fleece. He sang so beautifully that he even conquered the angry sea and enemies by the magic of his lyre. During the journey, Orpheus is said to have drowned out even the sirens with his singing. It is said that he was the greatest of all poets and charmed people, animals, stones and trees with his singing. In total, 51 birds and 37 different species are depicted in the painting. The animals are mostly depicted in great detail and, except for a few, can be identified. Mainly European species of animals are shown. Exceptions are the ostrich-like nandu peeking out from behind the deer, as well as the large parrot on the upper left, and the two lions. Similar is the case for the large animal directly behind Orpheus on the right. The shape of the head suggests an arctic fox from the polar regions, even though the body is much too large. The arctic fox was first described in 1555 by Olaus Magnus. However, it could also be a depiction of a brown or black bear. An unusual detail is the animal, which is relatively isolated in the right background and looks to the left. It is not clearly identifiable, but it shows certain similarities with the Australian kangaroo. This was first described by Vespucci in 1500 and further by Francisco Pelsaert in 1629. If it is indeed a kangaroo, this would be one of the earliest surviving pictorial representations. In this painting, Orpheus is accompanied by a small monkey playing a viola da gamba. This is an iconographic peculiarity. In general, this painting has some peculiarities compared to other paintings with "Orpheus and the animals". The central positioning of Orpheus is quite common, but he usually holds a lyre and is dressed in an antique style, but not as opulently. The choice of animals is also remarkable: European animals in particular are seen, hardly any exotic features, such as camels or elephants. The two lions in the right foreground are a quotation from Peter Paul Rubens and his depiction of "Daniel in the Lion's Den", which was realized in an engraving. The present painting can be classified as belonging to the Flemish School of the 17th century on the basis of its painterly and compositional conception. From the circle of Jan Brueghel the Younger are numerous representations of this Orpheus - theme, which take it as an opportunity to show as many exotic animals. There are also echoes of Spanish painters such as Juan de Arellano...

Landscape with hunters by a lake. 18th century. Oil painting on canvas, from the French or Northern Italian school, Louis XV period. Probably part of the door decoration in an interi...

Antique oil painting on stretched canvas by French artist Jean Charles Georget (1833-1895). An atmospheric French Barbizon old piece of a woman taking her cows to the river to drink...

The Pilgrim and Angel Spanish School, 17th Century oil on canvas, gilt framed framed: 48 x 37 inches canvas: 43 x 32 inches provenance: private collection, Barcelona, Spain condition...

Circle or Follower of David Teniers, Peasant in a Tavern Inn, drinking and smoking. Oil on canvas, Framed: 39 x 47 cm. Typical Flemish Baroque Interior...

The Cheetah in the nature This masterpiece is exhibited in the Zimmerman Gallery, Carmel CA. Marc Zimmerman creates playful paintings, whether deep mysterious jungle or delightful...

"Fish from the Chinese Garden" 60 x 80 cm, acrylic, oil, oil pastel on canvas The painting "Fish from the Chinese Garden" was painted based on the artist's impressions of visiting t...

Dipinto di scuola toscana della seconda metà del XVII secolo raffigurante un ritratto maschile di tre quarti, immerso nell'eleganza e nella maestosità proprie dell'epoca. La figura è...

Francesco Solimena (Canale di Serino 1657 - Barra 1747) workshop - Allegory of America. 76.5 x 64.5 cm unframed, 83 x 69.5 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in a lacqu...

Italian painter (17th-18th century) - Franciscan pilgrim friar sitting and writing (preparatory sketch). 14 x 16.5 cm. Antique oil painting on panel, without frame (not signed). C...

In this piece, I sought to capture the vibrancy and tranquility of nature, merging the wild with the serene. The crimson poppies dance in the breeze, a sea of passion and life, while...

French portrait of a nobleman, 17th Century, great condition. With a beautiful carved wooden frame.