Attrib. Andrea Gastaldi (1826-1889) - 1864 Oil, Love Captive

Description

This accomplished allegorical scene depicts the story in Anacreon’s Ode where Cupid is captured by the Muses. Entwined in a chain of flowers, the Muses lead cupid to captivity, where he grows so accustomed to their servitude that Venus was unable to tempt him back to freedom. The artist captures the famous myth against a dream-like landscape backdrop. The Muses wear coloured dresses, carrying cupid's confiscated arrows and bow over their shoulders. Signed and dated to the lower right. Presented in a glazed gilt frame with a cotton slip. On panel.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. There is some craquelure to the surface.

Size

16 x 19cm (6.3" x 7.5")
Framed Size: 26 x 29.5cm (10.2" x 11.6")

Artist Biography

Andrea Gastaldi (1826-1889) was born in Turin, Italy. He studied at the Accademia Albertina before Florence, Rome and Paris to further his studies. In Paris he studied in the studio of Thomas Couture where his also met Paul Delaroche, two notable history painter that evidently had an impact on Gastaldi's career.

Some of his most notable works include his painting of Pietro Micca (1860), Gerolamo Savonarola in jail (1856) and Atala (1862).