Da Pieter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), Follower of - Il Sileno ubriaco (o The Drunken Silenus)

By Sir Pieter Paul Rubens
Siegen, 1577 – Antwerp, 1640
The Drunken Silenus
Oil on canvas, 63 x 65 cm.
Frame dimensions, cm. 74 x 77 x 5 approx.


Note: Publication of the collection works catalog of Intermidiart. Certificate of legitimate provenance. Work with frame (defects):

We present in the catalog a magnificent painting, executed with great skill, although it is a faithful copy of the famous Silenus Drunk by Pietro Paolo Rubens (Siegen, 1577 – Antwerp, 1640), created around 1618-1619 and now housed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where several versions and replicas from the master's workshop are known. Although the work is often directly attributed to Rubens, some variations of the theme may indeed originate from his studio or from artists in his circle, such as Anthony van Dyck, who reworked the subject.
The scene, one of the masterpieces of Flemish Baroque, depicts a mythological episode related to the Bacchic procession, permeated with exuberance, sensuality, and dynamism. The protagonist is Silenus, the tutor and companion of the god of wine Bacco (Dionysus), whom Rubens depicts in a strongly antithetical way to the classical ideal: an elderly, bald, corpulent man, completely drunk, with a belly swollen from wine and food.
At the center of the composition, Silenus staggers, unable to stand on his own, supported by a diverse group of figures — satyrs, nymphs, a faun, and a child — who participate in the overall festive atmosphere. The construction of the image is dynamic and lively, characterized by contorted poses and a strong sense of vitality, elements typical of the baroque style.
The palette is warm and opulent, animated by a fluid brushstroke that emphasizes movement and vividly captures the tactility of the flesh, a distinctive hallmark of Rubens's art. Strong chiaroscuro contrasts enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures, giving the scene a dramatic and theatrical tone.
By depicting a mythological subject, the work conveys a sense of lightheartedness, intoxication, and sensual pleasure, recurring themes in 17th-century Flemish painting. Rubens — and with him his followers — does not hesitate to introduce a touch of humor and realism, consciously subverting the classical ideal of the male nude.
This painting, presumably attributable to one of his followers or circle, shows notable similarities both iconographically and chromatically with the original works of the Flemish master. Although the attribution remains cautiously hypothesized, a possible participation of a talented painter close to Rubens's workshop in the creation of this work cannot be excluded. The painting, executed with a high-quality painting hand, stands out for its careful iconographic setup and skillful use of colors, a sign of great interpretative sensitivity. It is, therefore, a work of great value that warrants further study, both for its content and its execution.
Regarding its conservation state, the canvas presents itself in generally quite decent conditions considering the age of the painting. The painted surface shows a patina, and the overall image is clearly readable beneath a light, glossy varnish. Visibly, the painting exhibits signs of wear, color loss, minor paint restorations, and abrasions. Under Wood lamp examination, the fluorescence is intense and uniform, revealing additional restorations, but due to this, it is not possible to exclude previous restorations. The painting is lined. The condition report we provide is considered accurate and meticulous but, in any case, entirely partial and not fully exhaustive, as it was not performed in specialized laboratories with specific technical supports. Under sunlight, a fine craquelure related to the age is visible. The canvas measures 63 x 65 cm. The work is enhanced by a beautiful wooden frame (the frame measures approximately 74 x 77 x 5 cm, with some defects). The frame shown in the photos above was added to the artwork by the seller or a third party. The frame is provided at no additional cost so that it is ready for display upon arrival. The frame is included as a courtesy and is not considered an integral part of the artwork. Therefore, any potential damage to the frame that does not affect the artwork itself will not be accepted as a valid reason to file a claim or request order cancellation.

Provenance: Private Collection

Publication
Unpublished
Myths and the territory in Sicily with its thousand cultures. Unpublished quadreria general catalog of the paintings from the cycle "Myths and the territory," Publisher Lab_04, Marsala, 2025.

The work will be shipped – as it is fragile – with a wooden crate and polystyrene. In the case of sales outside Italian territory, the buyer will need to wait for the export procedures to be completed.
Due to the holidays, shipping may be delayed in delivery.