French school; first third of the 19th century. "Nereids". Oil on panel.

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Old Masters, Day 2

By Setdart Auction House

Nov 25, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-25 08:30:00 2021-11-25 08:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-day-2-7886
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• Lot Description

  French school; first third of the 19th century. "Nereids". Oil on panel. It has slight flaws in the painting and in the frame. It has a stamp on the back. Measurements: 58,5 x 37,5 cm; 68 x 48 cm (frame). In this work the author composes an ascending spiral that is formed through the bodies of numerous naked women. The young women, who are not related to each other, seem to be trying to ascend to the surface, which is reflected in the upper part of the painting in a very subtle way. The mountains that make up the zenith of the painting are barely visible, a characteristic that is due to the dusty finish of the work. Regarding the theme of the piece, it draws from classical mythology, representing the beauty of the nereids. In Greek mythology, the Nereids are sea nymphs, female spirits of the waters, and the 50 daughters of Nereus. They often accompany Poseidon, the god of the sea, and can be kind and helpful to sailors, like the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. The Nereids symbolize all that is beautiful and kind in the sea. Their melodious voices sang as they danced around their father. They are represented as very beautiful girls, crowned with branches of red coral and dressed in white silk tunics adorned with gold, who were barefoot. Returning to the aforementioned aesthetics, the way of applying the tones in an earthy and atmospheric way, the strong colors that highlight the dreamlike of the scene, added to a hedonistic theme, inscribe the work in the current of the sumptuousness of the French court. Being a movement contrary to the naturalist and realist tradition, imagination, spirituality and dreams were exalted. Hence the proliferation of nymphs and exotic dancers as spirits of an intangible world. A dreamlike vision of life was emphasized, taking us into magical universes populated by enchanting and sibylline beings such as those who inhabit this work: young, almost adolescent nereids, who invite us with insinuating glances to immerse ourselves in their habitat. The bright colors, the gracefulness of the bodies, the linear arabesque to mark the voluptuousness of the bodies and hair are characteristic elements of unreal worlds.

  Dimensions:
  58,5 x 37,5 cm; 68 x 48 cm (frame).

  INV Number:
  35256439
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