Giacomo Farelli, 1624 Rom – 1706 Neapel Lot n° 246

ARIADNE AND BACCHUS Oil on canvas. 145 x 193 cm. In narrow gilt frame. Prof. Riccardo Lattuada and Laura Raucci, after careful study, attribute the present painting to Giacomo Farelli. The work also dated in the monograph on the artist published in 2020, ca. 1690 - 1700. The painting depicts the ancient legend according to which Ariadne was found by the youthful wine god Bacchus outside a cave on the island of Naxos after her relationship with Theseus had ended. Here the moment of their first encounter is shown. The sleeping Ariadne with long blond hair, her delicate light body partly covered only by a white sheet, moreover lying on a blue cloth with golden border. To the left of her standing Bacchus in a violet, wrinkled, blowing cloak, with vine leaves in his hair, cautiously and carefully observing the sleeping woman with whom he immediately falls in love. On the left behind Bacchus a figure from the retinue of Bacchus with raised tambourine. In the background the wide landscape in the evening light of the just set sun. Fine, high-quality painting, in which the light incarnate parts of Ariadne and the slightly tanned body of Bacchus are particularly emphasized against the dark background. Rest, partly retouching. Provenance: German private collection. Auktionhaus Lempertz, Auction 1132, Fine Art, 18.05.2019, Lot 1263. Chatsworth Castle Collection, England, auctioned in "Chatsworth: The Attic Sale", Sotheby's, London, 5-7.10.2010, Lot 66. Note: The depiction is similar to a depiction of the same subject by Luca Giordano (1634-1705) in Verona (Museo di Castelvecchio). Many other painters also took up this theme, including Titian, whose painting was done around 1520-1523. Literature: Riccardo Lattuada, Laura Raucci, Vita e opere di Giacomo Farelli (1629-1706). Artista e gentiluomo nell'Italia Barocca, Todi 2020, pp. 287-288, A83. (1290601) (18) Giacomo Farelli, 1624 Rome - 1706 Naples ARIADNE and BACCHUSOil on canvas. 145 x 193 cm. Professor Riccardo Lattuada and Laura Raucci attribute the painting to the artist and dated it ca. 1690 - 1700 in their monograph on the painter. The painting illustrates an ancient legend according to which Ariadne was found by the youthful wine god Bacchus in front of a cave on the island of Naxos after having been abandoned there by Theseus. Provenance: Private collection, Germany. Lempertz Auction House, Auction 1132, Fine Art, 18 May 2019, lot 1263. Collection Chatsworth Castle, England, Auction in "Chatsworth: The Attic Sale", Sotheby's London, 5 - 7 October 2010, lot 66. Notes: The painting is similar to a depiction of the same subject by Luca Giordano (1634-1705) held in Verona (Museo di Castelvecchio). Literature: Riccardo Lattuada, Laura Raucci, Vita e opere di Giacomo Farelli (1629-1706). Artista e gentiluomo nell'Italia Barocca, Todi 2020, p. 287-288, A83.