Italian school (XVIII) - Cefalo e Procri

Oil on canvas painting from the late eighteenth century (one can clearly observe a dense network of fine cracks (craquelure) in the sky and in the distant mountains). The work depicts a scene from Greek mythology of Cephalus and Procris (from Ovid's Metamorphoses), characterized by rocks, mountains in the background, trees, a view of a lake or river, and a city in the distance in an antique style. The painting reflects the classical and harmonious style typical of Lorrain's works, often set in the Roman countryside. Claude Gellée (or Gelée) called Lorrain, or also Claudio Lorenese (Champagne, 16 December 1600 – Rome, 23 November 1682), was a French painter active mainly in Rome. Together with Nicolas Poussin, he is regarded as the master of the genre of the ideal landscape. The work is characterized by a restoration touch with lighter color (see photo no. 951). The presentation with the dog gazing intently at the figures recalls the story of Cephalus and Procris (in which Cephalus, draped in a simple tunic with a blue sash, accidentally kills his beloved Procris in a white dress with a distinct red bloodstain on her torso, and mourns her with his hunting hound beside him). Measurements: 92 x 72.5 cm.