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Galatea, with Acis as River God
Galatea, with Acis as River God
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

Galatea, with Acis as River God

Artist (Italian, 1632–1705)
Date1675–1677
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsframed: 94 × 116.8 × 10.2 cm (37 × 46 × 4 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineCharlotte E.W. Buffington Fund
Terms
Object number1961.32
Label TextThe mythical moment depicted in this painting is the happy conclusion to the story of Acis and Galatea. The Cyclops Polyphemos loved Galatea, a Nereid, but she loved the mortal Acis. Polyphemos hurled a rock and struck Acis, but Galatea caused him to be metamorphosed into a river god, to live forever. Giordano chose to delete several details of the story, but its main features can be recognized here. This picture is a smaller version of a painting in the Pitti Palace in Florence. There can be little doubt that Luca painted both versions, as this was not unusual for him. They probably date prior to 1677. Born in Naples, Luca Giordano was a prolific painter whose style changed periodically as he came under different influences and worked in different areas. He was active in Rome, Naples, Madrid, Florence, and Venice, and earned the nickname, "Luca fa presto" (Luca the speedy) for his rapid and apparently effortless execution of commissions.ProvenanceDurlacher Bros., New York, NY, purchased by Worcester Art Museum, 1961.
On View
On view