About this piece
back to topA large antique oil on canvas depicting ‘The Nurture of Jupiter’ after Nicholas Poussin (1594-1665), mounted in an associated gilded and painted pine frame, artist unknown.
This 18th/19th century painting captures the scene of Poussin’s original – dating from circa 1636-7 – telling the mythical story of the Roman God, Jupiter (or Zeus in Greek).
According to legend, it was prophesied that the Roman God Saturn (Greek Kronos) would be overthrown by one of his own children who would rule the universe in his place. In an attempt to avoid this fate, Saturn swallowed all five of his children, including Jupiter; but Jupiter was saved by his mother, Rhea. She hid her son in a cave on Mount Ida, Crete, where he was brought up by two nymphs and nurtured with goat’s milk and honey. When he was grown, Jupiter vanquished his father and the prophecy was fulfilled.
This oil canvas is a beautifully painted artist’s impression of the 17th century original, capturing an infant Jupiter drinking milk from the goat Amalthea upon the top of Mount Ida. One nymph and a shepherd assists while the second nymph collects honey from a tree trunk.
Provenance: From the collection of a distinguished Georgian manor house in London
