Lot 56: Attributed to Jacob de Wet the Younger , Haarlem circa 1640 - 1697 Amsterdam The Crowning of Mirtillo oil on canvas

oil on canvas

measurements note 74.4 by 61.5 cm.; 29 3/8 by 24 1/4 in.

The subject is a pastoral scene from the play Il Pastor Fido by Guarini (1538-1612). The shepherd Mirtillo disguises himself as a maiden and waits for his beloved Amarillo in the bushes. When she arrives with a group of nymphs, they begin a blindfolded kissing contest and Mirtillo steals a passionate kiss from her. Amarillo crowns him winner, but Mirtillo returns the laurel crown to her to show that she is the most worthy.