About this lot

Description

Attributed to Cornelis van Poelenburgh (Dutch, 1594-1667) Venus, Minerva and Juno seated upon a cloud, an extensive landscape below oil on copper 30 x 22cm (12 x 9in)
Other Notes: The Peacock complained to Juno that while everyone laughed at his voice, an insignificant creature like the Nightingale had a note that delighted everybody. Juno, angry at the unreasonableness of her favourite bird, scolded him in the following terms: “Envious bird that you are, I am sure you have no cause to complain. On your neck shine all the colours of the rainbow, and your extended tail shows like a mass of gems. No living being has every good thing to its own share. The falcon is endowed with swiftness, the eagle, strength, the parrot, speech, the raven, the gift of augury, and the nightingale, with a melodious note, while you have both size and beauty. Cease then to complain, or the gifts you have shall be taken away.”
Oil on copper. The paint layer appears stable, there is a damage in the upper left quadrant which paint has been scraped and the copper support is visible. There is extensive retouching across the painting. The varnish is clear and semi-matte. There are slight splits and minor wear to the frame.

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