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Boreas Abducts Oreithyia

shortly before 1729 | Francesco Solimena

Boreas, the god of the stormy north wind, loved the Athenian princess Oreithyia. Taking advantage of his natural powers, he forcibly abducted her after the Athenians opposed a marital union with the wild god. The picture was likely a direct commission from Emperor Charles VI. At that time the Kingdom of Naples was ruled by Austria, and Solimena was indisputably the leading painter of the Neapolitan school.

Boreas, the god of the stormy north wind, loved the Athenian princess Oreithyia. Taking advantage of his natural powers, he forcibly abducted her after the Athenians opposed a marital union with the wild god. The picture was likely a direct commission from Emperor Charles VI. At that time the Kingdom of Naples was ruled by Austria, and Solimena was indisputably the leading painter of the Neapolitan school.

Artist:
Francesco Solimena (1657 Canale di Serino - 1747 Barra bei Neapel) DNB

Time:
shortly before 1729

Object Name
Painting

Culture
Italian, Neapolitan

Material/technology:
Canvas

Dimensions:
114 x 86,5 cm
Framed: 132,2 x 105,5 x 6 cm

Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie

Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 354

Provenance
Probably painted on behalf of Emperor Charles VI

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