Oil on canvas. North Italian school of the 17th century. The large canvas derives from a 1562 engraving by the Venetian Giulio Sanuto, which faithfully reproduced the homonymous work of Bronzino (1503-1572), currently preserved at the Hermitage. Compared to the original, the engraving added the group of Muses and modified the landscape background by introducing glimpses of the towns. The work is divided into four scenes, which should be read from right to left. The first scene depicts the musical contest between Apollo and the satyr Marsyas, who played the flute so well that he was considered superior to the god himself. The two contenders are performing, the god with the lyre and the satyr with the flute even upside down (to increase the difficulty of the task), in front of King Midas and the goddess Minerva, recognizable by her attributes, the helmet, the spear and the shield. In the second scene, Apollo is intent on skinning Marsyas, to punish him for having won the musical competition. His cloak and lyre are leaning on the ground next to him. In the third scene, King Midas is being punished by the god for having preferred Marsyas to him: Apollo is putting donkey ears on Midas, while Minerva watches. Finally, the fourth scene, in the foreground on the left, is characterized by a particular figure, identified as the king's faithful servant and barber: since Midas had ordered him to keep the secret about his donkey ears, unable to vent otherwise, he dug a hole in the ground and shouted his secret there. In that place, however, legend has it that a bush of reeds grew which whispered "King Midas has donkey ears" in the wind, thus revealing the dreaded secret. The painting has been previously restored and relined, but currently needs further color retouching. On the back in pencil there is an old attribution to the Ferrara school ("Ercole da Ferrara"). It is presented in a late 19th century style frame.
Product Condition:
Product in fair condition showing some signs of wear.
Frame dimensions (cm):
Height: 130
Width: 268
Depth: 13
Artwork dimensions (cm):
Height: 105
Width: 243
ARARPI0167017