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Lot 281A: JOSEPH WERNER

Est: $80,000 USD - $100,000 USD
Sotheby'sNew York, NY, USJanuary 28, 2010

Item Overview

Description

PYGMALION AND GALATHEA

Dimensions

7 7/8 by 5 7/8 in.; 19.5 by 13.9 cm.

Artist or Maker

Medium

oil on copper

Notes



The episode shown here comes from Ovid's Metamorphoses, X. Pygmalion, a famous sculptor who had grown to despise the female sex, created a marble statue, so beautiful in his eyes that no living woman would approach her in perfection. Eventually Pygmallion fell in love with his creation and prayed to Venus to bring her to life and she subsequently grants the love stricken sculptor his wish. The present work shows Pygmalion worshiping his sculpture before she is brought to life. She is on a pedestal, both literally and figuratively, as her creator marvels at his creation.

Auction Details

Important Old Master Paintings, Including European Works of Art

by
Sotheby's
January 28, 2010, 10:00 AM EST

1334 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, US