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1 of 253523 objects
Copy after Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)
Alpheus and Arethusa c.1650
Slight black chalk underdrawing, pen and brown ink, brown wash | 30.5 x 22.2 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 911977
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A drawing of the river-god Alpheus pursuing the nymph Arethusa, with whom he had fallen in love as she bathed in his waters. Here she is rescued by Diana, who envelops her in a cloud and transforms her into a stream (Ovid, Metamorphoses, V, 572ff). The figure types, swinging draperies and saucer eyes of this laboured drawing have much in common with Poussin's more careful sheets of the years around 1650, such as Medea killing her children (RCIN 911893), and this is probably a faithful contemporary copy of a lost sheet by the artist.
Another copy of the same composition is in the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris (Rosenberg & Prat 1994, no. R948).Provenance
Cardinal Camillo Massimi (1620-1677); from whose heirs bought in 1739, for 300 scudi, by Richard Mead (1673-1754); probably presented to Frederick, Prince of Wales, by 1750.
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Slight black chalk underdrawing, pen and brown ink, brown wash
Measurements
30.5 x 22.2 cm (sheet of paper)
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
RL 11977Alternative title(s)
Alfeo et Aretusa
