Neapolitan Master, 2nd half of the 18th Century

Neapolitan Master, 2nd half of the 18th Century, Boreas Abducting Orethyia
Boreas, god of the stormy north wind, loved the Athenian princess Oreithyia. He used his natural powers and forcibly abducted her after the Athenians opposed a marital union with the wild god. This beautiful work follows a painting by Francesco Solimena that was a direct commission from Emperor Karl VI in Naples around 1728-29, which is now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. There are other versions of this archetype that were very popular with collectors and art lovers at the time. The present painting, Boreas robs Orethyia, can be assumed to have been painted by one of the well-known students of Francesco Solimens, out of high esteem for his teacher. In comparison to the original picture, this version has its own brush language and painting technique. The colors are also more subdued and pastel.
Oil on canvas, 105 x 68 cm