Vlaamse school, navolger van Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678): Tmolos, olie op paneel, 18de eeuw

Work: 46,5 x 43 cm

Frame: 69 x 64,5 cm

The subject of our painting is taken from Ovid, Metamorphoses, XI: 146-193: a musical contest between Apollo and Pan was judged by the mountain god Tmolus, wearing an oak-leaf crown. Tmolus declared Apollo the victor, but King Midas, who was also present, objected, proclaiming that Pan should have won. Midas received his punishment for favouring the wrong contestant: the vengeful Apollo gave him the ears of an ass.

In comparison with a painting by Jacob Jordaens of the same subject in a private collection in Germany (See R.A. d'Hulst, Jacob Jordaens, London 1982, pp. 73-74, reproduced fig. 145), it is plausible that the original composition, which is probably lost, was painted around 1640. This single image of Tmolus may be a fragment of a larger panel based on an original work by Jacob Jordaens.

Ref.:

- Published as a work of Jacob Jordaens in the catalogue of the antiques fair in most probably Bruges (the painting at that time offered by Paul Senelle and being part of a private German collection).