Huge 19th Century English Old Master of the Judgement of Midas, oil on canvas by George Arnald. Excellent quality and condition classical scene from the Greek Myth of King Midas. Presented in its original antique gilt frame made for the Royal Academy exhibition in 1824. Signed.
Measurements:66" x 51" framed approx
Exhibited
London, Royal Academy, 1824, no. 257.
The inspiration for this composition is the story of the musical contest between Pan and Apollo. Pan, having the daring to speak badly of Apollo's music, entered into the seemingly unequal competition which was to be overseen by Tmolus, who duly judged in favour of Apollo. What followed is retold by Ovid in book XI of Metamorphoses, lines 172-179.
'Everyone else agreed with the verdict of the venerable mountain, but not Midas. He objected to the decision, declaring it to be unjust. The Delian God would not allow ears so foolish to retain their human shape; he lengthened them, filled them with bristling grey hairs, and made them movable, at the point where they joined the king's head, so that they could twitch. The rest of Midas' shape remained human, for he was condemned to lose only this one part: but he was made to assume the ears of a lumbering ass.'
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