Italian Artist, Mythological Scene, 1680, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Antique Italian painting from the 17th century. Artwork oil on canvas depicting a mythological subject with female characters and cherubs of good pictorial quality. Painting that develops horizontally, we find in the center a beautiful putto who hands the apple to the pair of figures on the left (see photo). To her right, a lady depicted in scantily clad clothes and with an apple in her right hand is caressed on the face by a second putto (see photo). In antique times, the symbol of the apple was often used to indicate a promise of love or an explicit invitation to physical union. Among the most famous references we find the myth of Aconzio and Cidippe to which this painting could refer. Aconzio, in love with the young priestess, engraved a promise of love on the peel of the fruit and rolled it near Cidippe. The beautiful priestess, intrigued, read aloud the words written on the apple and was therefore forced to keep the oath of love. Painting of beautiful size and proportion that can be easily placed in different parts of the house, for antique dealers and collectors. Non-coeval frame from the 20th century, in wood and plaster, pleasantly carved, chiseled and gilded. Painting that has undergone a conservative restoration, relining, replacement of the stretcher and color recovery in some places. Artwork overall in good state of conservation. Sight size H 88 x W 125 cm.