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an image of a painting of a man and a woman in a rocky landscapean old window with a wooden frame is shown in this image
Rossini

364 - ANONYMOUS, late 19th century
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Estimate €1,500 - €2,500
Sale commission
Description
ANONYMOUS, late 19th century The First Murder (Cain and Abel) oil on canvas (traces of grid markings, restorations and small areas missing) unsigned 100 x 81 cm This painting forms part of a body of work produced in the second half of the 19th century, inspired by archaeological discoveries and the curiosity these aroused amongst the public and artists alike. These discoveries sparked an iconographic revival for painters who had somewhat exhausted the repertoire of classical antiquity from the Egyptian, Greek and Roman periods. A historicist context and the construction of a national identity fostered the emergence of these new subjects, which painters eagerly embraced. Following the Carolingian and Merovingian narratives depicted by Jean-Paul Laurens and Évariste Vital-Luminais, European prehistory became a field of exploration for artists tasked with bringing this hitherto unknown era to life through their art. They developed an iconography based on scientific discoveries, and the period became a noble subject that briefly revitalised history painting. Many artists tackled these subjects, with varying degrees of lasting impact: Fernand Cormon, Paul Jamin, Maxime Faivre and Émile Bayard. The revival was primarily iconographic: whilst the eras, settings and props changed, the subjects depicted were most often transpositions of themes addressed in academic works. Two major themes dominate: violence and barbarism – scenes of fratricidal wars and brutal hominids – and the fantasy of a primitive golden age, depicting an innocent humanity, with scenes of familial tenderness set before a cave. Ultimately, the genre lends itself more to projecting contemporary issues onto a fantasised era than to a scientific account of the discoveries of a discipline still in its infancy.
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About the sale CLASSICAL ART, Asian collection, antique paintings & works of art
Auction location
Auction time 11/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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