Italian Paintings

The Night

Paolo DE MATTEIS (1662-1728)

Circa 1700-1705

Enlarge picture jpg 158Ko (See the caption hereafter) (modal window)
Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728) La Nuit, vers 1700-1705 - Huile sur toile, 1.23 x 1.52 m © Musée des beaux-arts de Quimper

Oil on canvas

873-1-750

Bequeathed by Jean-Marie de Silguy in 1864

H. 124,4 cm - L. 152,7 cm

The subject, an allegory of night, spreads its black wings to send men to sleep.  Below is the Goddess Aurora, an allegory of morning, spreading dew over the earth, born of the tears shed at the death of her son Memnon.  This subject, which is common in baroque art, no doubt is in keeping with the décor of a bedroom ceiling. Because of its range of colours, the work could date from the artist’s stay in Paris.

 

Italian Paintings

The Night

Paolo DE MATTEIS (1662-1728)

Circa 1700-1705

Enlarge picture jpg 158Ko (See the caption hereafter) (modal window)
Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728) La Nuit, vers 1700-1705 - Huile sur toile, 1.23 x 1.52 m © Musée des beaux-arts de Quimper

Oil on canvas

873-1-750

Bequeathed by Jean-Marie de Silguy in 1864

H. 124,4 cm - L. 152,7 cm

The subject, an allegory of night, spreads its black wings to send men to sleep.  Below is the Goddess Aurora, an allegory of morning, spreading dew over the earth, born of the tears shed at the death of her son Memnon.  This subject, which is common in baroque art, no doubt is in keeping with the décor of a bedroom ceiling. Because of its range of colours, the work could date from the artist’s stay in Paris.

 

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