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Gods of Olympus

Maker

(artist)
1600-1699

Formerly attributed to
(artist)
1637-1714

Formerly attributed to
(artist)
1594-1665

Title

Gods of Olympus

Date of Production

1600-1699

Medium

black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash on laid paper, framed in brown ink in the shape of a ceiling niche, the figures outlined on the verso in a waxy pigment mixture as the product of a transfer process

Dimensions

Height: 13.7 cm
Width: 21 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.2483

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords

Label Text

In this finished drawing, Jupiter on his eagle presides over the assembly of the ancient Gods. The perspective forces the viewer to look up at the figures as the Gods, offering their homage, look up at Jupiter. The theme of the gathering of the Gods, with putti offering garlands, follows Italian sources. The format, showing the figures as if seen from below, suggests that the design was made after a ceiling painting.

Provenance

Sotheby's (London), 25 July 1928, lot 16 (as 'Triumph of Galatea', by Poussin); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b; Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

Special Display - German drawings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 21/06/2007-23/09/2007

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: centre: a round flower with seven petals; Countermark?: Recto, upper right edge, fragment: a trefoil (not found in Heawood or Briquet).

Collector's mark: Verso: lower right corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

Inscription: Recto: lower right, brown ink: “12R.” Verso: lower right edge, graphite, Witt number: “RW 2483”. Mount: Verso: upper centre right, graphite: "39"; lower centre left, graphite: "Poussin"; lower left, brown ink: "G22"; lower right, brown ink: "Bernini / Head of an old man" [crossed out]; lower right, graphite: "P."

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