The hazy, golden light that suffuses the scenery of this picture is characteristic of Jan Both's Italianate landscapes. They were inspired by the artist's stay in Rome between about 1637 & 1641 where he studied the local landscape & the Mediterranean light. Because of the popularity of these works he continued to paint Italianate scenes after his return from Italy. The present picture was probably executed in the Netherlands. As is usually the case with his landscapes, they show an imaginary setting that evokes the Roman campagna. On occasions he had other painters insert figures & animals into his landscapes, yet they were painted by Both himself. ...

Io was loved by Jupiter who transformed her into a heifer (on left) to protect her from Juno's jealousy. Juno, discovering the heifer's identity, had it guarded by Argus Panoptes ('many-eyed Argus'). Mercury was sent by Jupiter to kill Argus, which he did ...

Apollo is apparently guarding the herd of Admetus. (Ovid, ' Metamorphoses', 2). This picture seems different in compositional treatment from the rest of the series. This work & the seven others in the Collection are a major part of a series of ten frescoe ...

Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, accompanied by Mercury, entrusts the key of knowledge to Intellect, beside whom is the naked figure of Truth. To the left is the she-wolf with the infants Romulus amd Remus, founders of Rome. Minerva gives a hammer to Artifice & Industry at whose feet lie other tools. In the background is Amphion or Eloquence, playing the viola & surrounded by birds. This painting is one of a group of 10 'modelli', or elaborated oil studies, made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano created for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence. This painting is connected with the ceiling of the Galleria. ...

The painting was probably executed in England in 1629-30, illustrating Rubens' hopes for the peace he was trying to negotiate between England & Spain in his role as envoy to Philip IV of Spain. Rubens presented the finished work to Charles I of England as a gift. The central figure represents Pax (Peace) in the person of Ceres, goddess of the earth, sharing her bounty with the group of figures in the foreground. The children have been identified as portraits of the children of Rubens' host, Sir Balthasar Gerbier, a painter-diplomat in the service of Charles I. To the right of Pax is Minerva, goddess of wisdom. She drives away Mars, the god of war, & Alecto, the fury of war. A winged cupid & the goddess of marriage, Hymen, lead the children (the fruit of marriage) to a cornucopia, or horn of plenty. The satyr & leopard are part of the entourage of Bacchus, another fertility god, & leopards also draw Bacchus's chariot. Two nymphs or maenads approach from the left, one brings riches, the other dances to a tambourine. A putto holds an olive wreath, symbol of peace, & the caduceus of Mercury, messenger of the gods. ...

Create your own bespoke print of Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas’s Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando from our collection. About this painting Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, 1879 © The National Gallery, London This painting joined our collection in 1925 With our custom print service, you can order your own fully customised reproduction from the National Gallery Collection & exhibitions. Choose your own size, print material & frames & have your masterpiece delivered straight to your door. ...

This sitter was formerly identified as Charlotte Amelia (1649
- 1722), daughter of the Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels. It now seems
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Massimo Stanzione was one of the leading painters in Naples in the 17th century, producing numerous altarpieces & frescoes. His rich colours & idealised naturalism influenced a great number of students & imitators. This is a copy of a large altarpie ...

Jacques Marquet de Montbreton de Norvins (1769
- 1854) had a varied career as a government official, soldier & diplomat. He also
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Create your own bespoke print of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot’s Monsieur Pivot on Horseback from our collection. About this painting Monsieur Pivot on Horseback, about 1853 © The National Gallery, London This painting joined our collection in 1923 With our custom print service, you can order your own fully customised reproduction from the National Gallery Collection & exhibitions. Choose your own size, print material & frames & have your masterpiece delivered straight to your door. ...