Leandro Bassano - 17th century - Portrait of a Savant

Antonio Travi called Le Sestri (Sestri Ponente, 1608 - Genova 1665) Seascape with ruins Genova, First half of 17th century Oil on canvas with his original 17th century frame M...

Cerberus Black painted stone Italy, 17th century Measures: 80 x 69 x 36cm (one head missing) Cerberus, cruel monster, fierce and strange, Through his wide threefold throat barks as a dog Over the multitude immers'd beneath. His eyes glare crimson, black his unctuous beard, His belly large, and claw'd the hands, with which He tears the spirits, flays them, and their limbs Piecemeal disparts (Dante, Inferno, Canto VI). Cerberus figure seated, in his role of ferocious guardian of the underworld; he shows a nervous musculature, an adherent skin which reveals the ribs, long and robust limbs; his heads are broad and the eyes set well apart. Painted in black to amplify his menacing look, the infernal guardian is depicted with his famous attributes, writhing his heads, growling and barking furiously. Cerberus, in Greek mythology, was the monstrous watchdog of the underworld – also known as the “hound of Hades” – preventing the dead from leaving, and making sure that those who entered never left. A child of Typhon and Echidna, he was part of a monstrous family, which included Orthus, the Lernaean Hydra, and the Chimaera as well. Only on three occasions Cerberus was tricked by visitors of Hades: Heracles did it with his strength, Orpheus with his music. In "The Inferno", Dante places Cerberus as the guardian of the third circle of Hell. With his three mouths, Dante saw Cerberus as a beast that was synonymous with the sin of Gluttony. Virgil gets past the monster by throwing mud in his three mouths, temporarily choking him. Very rare are the representations of Cerberus in ancient statuary...

Bronze salamander Italy, 17th century Patinated bronze 4 x 17 x 10 cm This finely cast bronze salamander exemplifies the 17th-century fascination with naturalistic forms and animal ...

Pair of beautifully carved wooden chairs Lombardy, first half of 17th century H 86 x L 48 x P 43 cm Pair of “da balia” (nanny) chairs. The backrest is decorated with winged myt...

Interesting pair of 17th century Dutch portraits representing the likes of a nobleman and his wife. Both paintings bear the monogram AET along with an illegible second monogram , the...

Beautiful oil painting on panel depicting Christ, made with a chalky preparation which gives brightness and depth to the figure. The work can be attributed to a Venetian painter or o...

Follower of Jacopo Da Ponte, called Jacopo Bassano (Bassano del Grappa, circa 1510 - Bassano del Grappa, 13 February 1592), 17th century Allegory of the Spring Measures: With frame: ...

English School, 17th Century. A pair of portraits of William Mellish (1605-1667) and his wife, Martha (1610-1684). Inscribed respectively: Ano Domi 1639 Aetatis June 34 and N ...