The Complete Works of Philippe Smit
by Andreas Narzt and Florence Castellani
enlarge
Photo: Studio Sebert; © FdDPS
Keywords
- Figure composition:
- centaur(s) »
- female »
- male »
- mythological »
- nude »
Explore catalogue entries
PS 220
Mythological Scene
1919
Oil on wood (front side of a storage trunk)
17 1/8 x 45 7/8 in. (43 x 116 cm)
Neither signed, nor dated
The cover of the chest is painted with fern leaves.
Inventories
Inv. Leteneur, n.d. [1977], n.p., s.n., private archives: no. [86]: p. [9], chambre - salon: Smit Philippe - 'Après midi d'un faune', 44 x 116 [cm].
Exhibitions
No known exhibitions.
Literature & Primary Sources
No known published references.
Notes
This mythological scene probably depicts the abduction of Dejanira, the wife of Hercules, by the centaur Nessus, an episode recounted by Ovid in Book IX of the Metamorphoses and which has inspired many artists.
A letter from Philippe Smit to his friend René Massé, dated 20 April 1919, in which he writes: "... I am painting a large chest...", makes it possible to date it precisely.
Record last updated September 21, 2024. Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Narzt, Andreas and Castellani, Florence. "Mythological Scene, 1919 (PS 220)." In The Complete Works of Philippe Smit. www.philippesmit.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=220 (accessed on October 22, 2024).