Items Similar to Portrait of a Lady, as the Goddess Minerva
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
(Circle of) Johannes MytensPortrait of a Lady, as the Goddess MinervaCirca 1660
Circa 1660
$24,128.48
About
Titan Fine Art are pleased to present this magnificent grand scale portrait is a fine example of the Baroque portrait style in the 1660’s when in Europe it was fashionable for aristocratic women to be immortalised in the guise of mythological characters. By the 1640’s familiarity with the pastoral was so ingrained that the mere inclusion of such elements as shimmering gowns, plumed hats, flower garlands, and antique buildings suggested Arcadia to the viewer. Many artist’s specialised in these fanciful allegorical portraits such as the court painter Johannes Mytens, who was the most fashionable portrait painter working in The Hague during the middle of the seventeenth century.
The subject is portrayed in classically inspired attire with draping fabrics, a crimson swath of fabric wrapped around her body and fastened at the shoulder with a large jewelled clasp, reminiscent of classical Roman attire. The metallic cuirass, spear, shield, book, and exotic feather headdress draw from traditional mythology which by the time this portrait was painted was well known as all educated individuals of the period were familiar with Latin and Greek poetry and the mythological world. This technique imbues the portrait with a sense of theatricality that is a close reflection of an elegant and sophisticated society in which this wealthy woman belonged to.
Here, we see Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, protector of peace, and patroness of the arts and sciences. Minerva was a popular muse - she was fierce, and she was brilliant. The use of this guise thereby elevates the sitter to the status of a goddess. The exotic plumage perched on her head is part of a type of hunting cap that was a status symbol as the right to hunt had always been the exclusive privilege of the nobility. These exotic headdresses were often incorporated into portraits and they were neither meant as an exercise in realism nor to explore the sitter’s character, but to glorify the individual with godlike qualities and portray a tangible expression of power and wealth. The dramatic costume and the stormy skies behind heighten the sitter’s calm beauty. The whiteness of the skin is a distinctive mark of the sitter’s social status.
The accessory ‘par excellence’ is pearls and were very popular in Europe. They are worn as a necklace, in her costume, and as pear-shaped earrings called unions d’excellence reflecting the difficulty of finding perfectly matched pearls of such large size. They could range up to 20 millimetres in diameter. The jewellery is of course indicative of the family’s wealth and was an obligatory accompaniment. In England, the diarist Samuel Pepys accounted the purchase of a pearl necklace for his wife: “She was also to look after a necklace of pearl, which she is mighty busy about, I being contented to lay out 80 pounds in one for her” in 1665. In today’s money this is in excess of £10,000.
This portrait resembles closely other paintings attributed to Johannes Mytens which often present the sitter in the guise of a goddess in an outdoor setting. A smaller portrait, 114x90cm, “Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Dress, 1662” by Mytens sold for 24,800 euro on 21st May 2016 in Cologne. Similarly, a “Portrait of a lady as Diana, three-quarter-length, in an oyster satin dress, a bow in her left hand, her right resting on a hound's head, in a landscape” sold for £22,500 on 7th July 2017 at Christies London.
The artist was particularly adept at rendering the sitter's face and hands - they are remarkable. This grand scale portrait was intended to impress and does not fail at that. Titan Fine Art are pleased to present this portrait.
Jan (or Johannes) Mytens (or Mijtens) came from a family of painters. He was born circa 1614 in The Hague and was buried on 24th December 1670. It is thought that his initial training may have been with his uncle Isaac Mijtens and after 1634 with his uncle Daniel. Jan was the son of Daniel’s elder brother David, a saddle-maker in The Hague. Daniel Mijtens the Elder, who had been court painter to Charles I in England, was strongly influenced by Anthony van Dyck as well as Peter Paul Rubens and Jan was most likely influenced by their distinctive elegant work. In 1642 Jan married Daniel’s daughter Anna. In 1639 he became a member of the Guild of St. Luke in The Hague and in 1656 one of its governors. He was also one of the founders of the painter’s society De Pictura in The Hague. One of his pupils was his son Daniel (who was a painter of portraits and mythological scenes).
Although he occasionally executed mythological and Biblical scenes, the majority of his output was devoted to portraiture. Jan Mytens’ clientele derived mainly from The Hague’s most prominent citizens, military commanders, high ranking government officials, nobility, and by the early 1660s Mytens began to work for members of the House of Orange.
Measurements: Height 149cm, Width 109cm, Depth 7cm framed (Height 58.75”, Width 43”, Depth 2.75” framed)
Details
- Creator(Circle of) Johannes Mytens
- Creation YearCirca 1660
- DimensionsHeight: 58.67 in. (149 cm)Width: 42.92 in. (109 cm)Depth: 2.76 in. (7 cm)
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period
- Condition
- Gallery LocationLondon, GB
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU119915873822
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.Estimated Customs Duties & Taxes to the Continental US: $0.Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn more
About the SellerLocated in London, United Kingdom
5 / 5
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
1stDibs seller since 2019
16 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
More From This Seller
- Located in London, GBIn this portrait the artist has portrayed the boy as a fashionable young gentleman sitting in the grounds of his...Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in London, GBTitan Fine Art is pleased to present this beautiful work which descended from the sitter through the Catesby fam...Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in London, GBThis graceful portrait depicts a young lady elegantly dressed in a shimmering blue silk dress with gold edging, ...Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- By John VerelstLocated in London, GBIn this charming large portrait, a young gentleman has been depicted holding a baton with a red ribbon in an out...Category
1690s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in London, GBThe gentleman in this portrait is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of portraiture that, in addition ...Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- By Johann KerseboomLocated in London, GBThe exquisite portrait depicts Gilbert Coventry, 4th Earl of Coventry (c.1668-1719) standing in a porch with col...Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
You May Also Like
Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic
By Francesco de Mura
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful Italian 18th Century old masters oil painting on oval canvas with giltwood frame is attributed to Francesco De Mura and features a religious scene.
In this splendid o...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Oil on Canvas Painting Portrait of the Italian Noble Family of Zanardi Count
By Lucia Casalini Torelli
Located in Firenze, IT
This museum quality old master oil on canvas formal portrait painting depicting the family of the Count Zanardi is signed by the artist- the female painter Lucia Casalini Torelli- an...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait oil painting of a gentleman in a red robe
Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Circle of John Vanderbank
British, (1694-1739)
Portrait of a Gentleman
Oil on canvas
Image size: 29.5 inches x 24.5 inches
Size including frame: 36.5 inches x 31.5 inches
A well-ex...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
SAMURAI - Maximilian Ciccone Oil on Canvas Italian Figurative Painting
By Maximilian Ciccone
Located in Napoli, IT
Samurai - Maximilian Ciccone - Italia - Oil on canvas cm.210x120-
Gold leaf gilded wooden frame available on request.
In this majestic oil on canvas painting the Artist Ciccone por...
Category
2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN - Italian Oil On Canvas Painting by Antonio Jannone
By ANTONIO JANNONE
Located in Napoli, IT
PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN - Oil on canvas cm.50x40, Antonio Jannone, Italy, 2002.
Frame available on request.
Category
Early 2000s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
MY SECRET BOOK - Francesca Strino Italian figurative oil on canvas painting
By Francesca Strino
Located in Napoli, IT
MY SECRET BOOK Francesca Strino Italia 2011 Oil on canvas mis. cm. 60x50
Gold gilded wooden frame available on request.
Italian artist Francesca Strino focuses her newest figurativ...
Category
2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
GENGHIS KHAN - Maximilian Ciccone Oil on Canvas Italian Figurative Painting
By Maximilian Ciccone
Located in Napoli, IT
GENGIS KAN - Maximilian Ciccone - Italia - Oil on canvas cm.210x120.
Frame available on request from our workshop.
In this majestic oil on canvas painting the Artist Ciccone portray...
Category
2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
17th Century English Oil Painting Portrait of King James II
By Studio of Sir Peter Lely
Located in London, GB
Studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680, English)
Portrait of James II (1633-1701), Reigned 1685-88)
c.1661-2
Oil on canvas
Framed in carved period frame
51 x 44 inches
Provenance: Kir...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery