Description:

Italo-Flemish Master
17th century
Mythological representation
Oil on canvas, relined
119 x 170 cm

This enigmatic painting of the 17th century shows a dialogue between two figures, probably of biblical origin, in the middle of a ruinous rocky landscape that resembles a cave. A seated warrior clutches a saber with his left hand and has his right hand raised, probably reaching for the vessel that the older man holds in his hand. The latter, however, points to the golden, richly decorated chariot in front of which two horses are harnessed. The carriage is enveloped in a mystical dark mist or smoke; behind it the view of vegetation and an idyllic sky is revealed. On the right half of the picture, however, the remains of a Roman-looking temple are shown: Fragments of entablature with typical dentil frieze and parts of capitals lie in the shadowed foreground, while two angular column bases with broken, stone column shafts and two metal basins with lion-like mascarons, from which water flows into a basin, are located behind the group of figures. This could be the Temple of Solomon, with the pair of columns Jachin and Boaz in the forecourt of the temple, and here two fountain basins reminiscent of the Brazen Sea, a large bronze water basin for ritual purification. It seems that the warrior either settled here for rest and refreshment or fought here, which could refer to the destruction of this first temple as a result of the conquest of Jerusalem in 587 BC by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II.
However, the group of figures has strong similarities to the popular pictorial theme of the Good Samaritan. This New Testament narrative (Luke 10:25-37) contains a parable about loving one's neighbor, which is linked to loving God. Jesus tells of a Samaritan, a member of a religious community, who took pity on an injured and plundered man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho and brought him to the inn on his horse. Already in paintings of the 17th century the Samaritan is shown as an older man with a long white beard as well as with a turban, who treats the wounds of the injured man with an ointment vessel. A 19th century wood engraving by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1860) also testifies to the continuation of this type of figure. However, this image theme seems to have been modified here due to the two-legged team as well as the clothing of the seated figure, which is otherwise only scantily clad and depicted almost fainting.
The seated figure wears an eclectic Roman-Turkish costume and is identified as a warrior or soldier; not least because of the saber and the shield, a Roman scutum or "tower shield" (rectangular, curved wooden shield), which was part of the equipment of the legionaries of the Roman army. Furthermore, the warrior wears a rolled-up tunic on the upper part of the body and over it a lorica segmentata (limb, splint or brace armor), which was used since the beginning of the 1st century AD. High metal shoes, possibly elaborated caligae or marching boots, complete the overall appearance. The red fabric curved over the right shoulder and left foot could represent a paludamentum, a general's and soldier's cloak that served as a badge of rank. However, the figure is not wearing a Roman helmet, but a white turban with tassels. Together with the facial physiognomy of the man, who has a moustache, this representation rather points to a Turkish costume.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Other, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping costs are not included in the invoice total. TIBERIUS-AUCTIONS does not offering shipping. We provide a list of trusted local and International professionals who have offered their services.


Vienna and surrounding area:

Pempertransporte
Biberstraße 22/2A | 1010 Vienna | AUSTRIA
Mobil: +43 650 40 20 108
[email protected] | www.pempertransporte.at


D,CH, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Scandinavia:

Fegers GmbH Service for art and trade
Moldenweg 5
D-21339 Lüneburg
Tel: +49 (0) 4131 727 525
Mobil +49(0)171 770 50 18
Fax: +49 (0) 04131 727 524
[email protected]


Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Benelux:

Gugel srl
Via Papa Giovanni XXIII
31020 Sernaglia d. Batt. -TV
Part.IVA: 03222990263
Nr. Iscr. Albo: TV/2655895/F
Tel. +39 335 52 73 742
[email protected]


National and international air freight service:

Mail Boxes Etc. - Europex Business Services e.U.
Walfischgasse 6, 1010 Wien
[email protected]


TIBERIUS-AUCTIONS will not release items to any shipper until your auction invoice has been paid.

All items must be picked up, or shipping arrangements made, within three weeks of the day of sale. NOTE: Items left here more than three weeks will incur storage fees at a rate of € 10.00 per lot per day (this rate applies to all items regardless of size or value).

July 5, 2022 5:00 PM CEST
Vienna, Austria

Tiberius Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
€0 €99 €5
€100 €199 €10
€200 €399 €20
€400 €999 €50
€1,000 €1,999 €100
€2,000 €3,999 €200
€4,000 €9,999 €500
€10,000 €19,999 €1,000
€20,000 €39,999 €2,000
€40,000 €99,999 €5,000
€100,000 + €10,000