1 / 5
an image of a painting of a woman laying on the ground with other peoplepainting of a man and a woman laying on a bed in a wooded areaan image of a painting of a naked woman laying on a bedan image of a painting of a woman and child in a landscapepainting of a black square with a thin orange line in the middle
Premium La Suite Subastas

66 - Flemish School. 17th century. Following the style of Anton v…

Estimate €2,800 - €3,500
Sale commission
Description
Flemish School. 17th century. Following the style of Anton van Dyck (Antwerp, 1599–London, 1641) 'Diana Resting after the Hunt with Her Nymphs and a Satyr' Oil on copper. 54 x 68 cm. The composition may be related to the iconographic tradition established by representations of Diana Sleeping associated with Anthony van Dyck and his circle. The reclining goddess, accompanied by her nymphs and observed by a satyr concealed within the landscape, closely follows a model that enjoyed considerable popularity in Flemish artistic circles during the first half of the seventeenth century. Whether derived directly from a painted prototype or from engravings circulating after compositions by Van Dyck and related masters, the present work clearly belongs to this refined mythological tradition. A finely executed cabinet painting on copper depicting a mythological scene inspired by the classical world, a subject particularly favoured by Flemish artists during the seventeenth century. Copper, highly prized as a painting support in the Netherlands, provided an exceptionally smooth surface that allowed for remarkable precision of detail and luminous colour effects. The composition shows the goddess Diana resting after the hunt in the company of her nymphs. Reclining in the foreground upon a sumptuous crimson drapery, the goddess is accompanied by two female attendants who share the same atmosphere of repose and tranquillity. To the right, partially concealed among the trees, a satyr furtively observes the scene, introducing a subtle narrative tension between the chastity traditionally associated with Diana and the sensual, untamed nature of the mythological creature. The figures are set within an expansive wooded landscape that opens onto a luminous distant vista. The natural setting plays a central role in the composition, reflecting the enduring Flemish fascination with landscape painting. In the foreground appear various hunting trophies, including game birds and a hare, attributes closely associated with Diana in her role as goddess of the hunt. Scenes depicting Diana and her nymphs were particularly popular among Flemish painters of the seventeenth century, who found in classical mythology an ideal vehicle for combining the representation of the female nude, landscape, and refined narrative subjects intended for private collections and cabinet displays. The motif of a satyr spying upon the sleeping or resting goddess became a recurring theme within this artistic tradition and was widely disseminated through the workshops and collecting circles of Antwerp. Stylistically, the painting reflects the Flemish taste for elegant mythological subjects set within idealised landscapes, where figures, nature, and still-life elements are harmoniously integrated. The refined handling of the figures, the pearly flesh tones, and the atmospheric treatment of the landscape are further enhanced by the copper support, which lends exceptional clarity and brilliance to the painted surface. Beyond its mythological subject matter, the work constitutes an attractive example of seventeenth-century Flemish cabinet painting, distinguished by its narrative sophistication, technical refinement, and balanced fusion of landscape and figure painting.
About the sale Dialogues with the Past: Vestigia
Auction location
Auction time 07/02/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like