Poppy Harvey-Jones
Head of Sale
Lot 18TP
Circle of Hans Rottenhammer I(Munich 1564-1625 Augsburg)Preparation for the Wedding of Neptune and Amphitrite
7 July 2021, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£50,000 - £70,000
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Circle of Hans Rottenhammer I (Munich 1564-1625 Augsburg)
Preparation for the Wedding of Neptune and Amphitrite
oil on canvas
149.6 x 182.5cm (58 7/8 x 71 7/8in).
oil on canvas
149.6 x 182.5cm (58 7/8 x 71 7/8in).
Footnotes
Provenance
Verber Collection, Seville, for around 100 years, until 2013
Acquired by the present owner in 2013
Whilst the figures in this work are reminiscent of Hans Rottenhammer and artists in his immeditate circle, the landscape is painted by a Flemish hand. The painting is accompanied by a copy of a certificate from Dr. Klaus Ertz, dated 20 July 2013, in which he expresses his view that it is a collaboration between Hans Rottenhammer, who painted the figures, and Jan Brueghel the elder, who painted the landscape. Both artists were working in Italy in the 1590s and he suggests a date for this work of 1595.
The theme of the Wedding of Neptune and Amphitrite was popular in the late 16th century, with its complex arrangement of figures lending itself to mannerist treatment. Compositions by Gillis van Valckenborch and Jan Gossaert are known, and in Italy the subject was painted by Annibale Carracci, among others. Amphitrite was a Nereid who attracted the attention of the sea-god Neptune and initially spurned his proposal of marriage, hiding from his advances. Undeterred, he sent dolphins to find her and they convinced her to change her mind. They were rewarded with a constellation of stars. Triton was the product of the union of Neptune and Amphitrite.