The Nymph of Fontainebleau
The Met
Artist: French (Fontainebleau) Painter(third quarter 16th century)
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 26 x 47 3/4 in. (66 x 121.3 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Heyward Cutting, 1942
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Central oval landscape with a reclining nude woman and dogs, framed by nude figures, putti, and fruit
Detailed Description
The painting is a large rectangular composition dominated by a central oval landscape scene, surrounded by an elaborate, multi-layered decorative frame. The central oval depicts a landscape with a fair-skinned, nude woman reclining in the foreground, partially draped in white fabric. She rests on a large, white, shell-like object. Beside her, a slender white greyhound-like dog lies, while a smaller brown dog sniffs the ground nearby. The landscape features a lush green field with small white flowers, leading to a dense forest with tall trees. A winding river flows through the middle ground, and distant blue hills are visible under a light blue sky with scattered white clouds.The oval landscape is encircled by a wide, ornate golden frame. This frame is integrated into a larger architectural structure that forms the outer border of the painting. On either side of the oval, two large, teal-colored columns or pedestals rise, each adorned with a golden lion's head at its base and a more elaborate golden crest at the top. From these pedestals, three nude female figures emerge on each side, holding up abundant garlands of various fruits, including apples, pears, and grapes. Below these figures, groups of nude putti (cherubs) are active. On the left, putti interact with a large, coiled snake-like creature. On the right, putti are shown reading books.Above the central oval, two circular medallions with grisaille (monochromatic) classical scenes are set into the frame, flanked by more fruit garlands and grotesque masks. A small red-winged cherub head is positioned at the very top center. Below the oval, a golden cartouche with a stylized monogram "F" is centered. At the bottom of the entire composition, a white rectangular plaque contains Latin text: "O PHIDIAS O APELLES QUIDQUAM NE ORNATUS VESTRIS TEMPORIBUS EXCOGITARI POTUIT EA SCULPTURA CUIUS HIC PICTURAM CERNITIS QUAM FRANCISCUS PRIMUS FRANCORUM REX POTENTISS. BONARUM ART. AC LITERARUM PATR. SIBI DIANAE A VENATU COGNOMEN ATQUE UNAM FONTISBELLAQUAE EFFUNDENTIS STATUAE DOMI SUAE INCHOATAM RELIQUIT". The overall color palette combines the natural greens and blues of the landscape with the warm golds, flesh tones, and cool teal of the decorative elements.
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