Oil on canvas; laid down on panel
Southern Europe, late 19th century
Dimensions: 100 x 89 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia
Remarkable oil study of a mythological scene; the work renders interesting insights into the artistic working process of a history painting in the late 19th century

The present oil study is the work of an artist, presumably active in Southern Europe in the late 19th century. It depicts a history painting with a mythological scene that may refer to Ulysses and his wife Penelope. The distribution of the attributes seems especially interesting in this composition: As seen in many paintings and sculptures, Penelope is often depicted with a spindle. In the present work, however, it is the man holding the spindle’s thread. On the other hand it is described in Homer’s Odyssey that Ulysses used an olive club to kill the sleeping Cyclops. But in contrast to the persevered history, the present work shows Penelope leaning on the club.



The oil study is in good condition considering its age. The canvas is laid down on panel. The paint surface is slightly stained and shows scattered areas of abrasion. Small retouching at the foot. Inspection under UV light reveals scattered areas of faint retouching. The frame is in good condition with small traces of age and use. The framed work measures 114 x 103 cm and the size of the panel is 100 x 89 cm. (cbo)

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