About this lot

Description

The Seventh Labour of Hercules - The Cretan Bull bears a possibly later inscription "Ste Cécil 1882 / Le peintre au musicien [?] / Thys á Devey" oil on canvas 25 x 31cm

Footnote: As one of his twelve labours in the service of King Eurystheus, Hercules was asked to capture the Cretan Bull, father of the famous Minotaur who guarded the Labyrinth of Crete. Hercules sailed to Crete, where the bull was wreaking havoc. Hercules sneaked up behind the beast and forced it to the ground. Having successfully captured it, he shipped it to the King. The bull was later released and was allowed to rampage through the countryside near Marathon, becoming known as the Marathonian bull.

Condition report: Oil on canvas which is unlined. The canvas has minor undulations and the paint layer has age cracks which are stable. There are a few small abrasions to the surface. The varnish is thin and applied in a brushy manner, it is possibly the original varnish. The frame has a few scattered losses, but overall it is in a good condition.

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