Closed Return - Finish Signed Off
Wed, Jan 11, 2023 12:00PM EST
Lot 56
Important 17th Century Genoese School Painting, The Nine Muses
Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
(Italian, mid 17th century)
Apollo and the Nine Muses, circa 1650, unsigned, oil on canvas, 81-1/2 x 92-3/4 in. (205.1 x 233.1 cm.); gilt wood frame, 86-3/4 x 97-5/8 x 3 in.
Provenance: Sotheby's New York, January 30, 1998, lot 261, sold for $233,500; Property from the Collection of Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Note: The 17th century marked the birth of the word “museum” the stem of which can be traced back to the original Greek. The Online Etymology Dictionary states that the word museum is derived from Greek mouseion, a "place of study, library or museum, school of art or poetry, originally "a temple or shrine of the Muses," which is also derived from Mousa or "Muse". The subject became popular as a subject for paintings, emblematic of status associated with the arts, science, and literature.
The Nine Muses, here flanking the central character, Apollo, were the beautiful daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. They are shown with the Castelian spring in the foreground, an ancient source of inspiration (located in Delphi, near the Temple of Apollo.) The traditional names and specialties of the nine Muses are: Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (love poetry, lyric art), Euterpe (music, especially flute), Melpomene (tragedy), Polymnia (hymns), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), Urania (astronomy). Some are shown with their identifying attributes. One holds a book with the Latin word Suadere, translated to 'persuade or advise.’
Under the tutelage of Apollo, the Muses inspired creativity in ancient texts including Homer in The Iliad and The Odyssey, and in paintings, sculpture, and architecture.
References: https://www.etymonline.com/word/museum
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Muse-Greek-mythology
https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103R7F
Condition
lined and strip lined, crackle, repairs, retouch; frame with resurfacing
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
Sotheby's New York, January 30, 1998, lot 261, sold for $233,500; Property from the Collection of Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
