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Salvator Rosa (Italian / Neapolitan, 1615-1673). “Apollo and the Cumaean Sibyl” etching and dry point on laid paper, 1661. Signed “ROSA” on base of lyre in lower right. An impressive etching on paper titled “Apollo and the Cumaean Sibyl” by Italian Baroque artist Salvator Rosa depicting the moment in Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” when Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto, became enamored of the Cumaean Sibyl, one of the ten cave-dwelling oracles of the ancient world. Apollo agreed to give her anything she wished, so she asked him for as many years of life as the grains of sand she held in her hand. Long life was granted to her, but unfortunately without the gift of eternal youth. The Cumaean Sibyl was assumed to be 700 years old when she guided Aeneas on his journey in the underworld. The celebrated musician Apollo is shown accompanied by his lyre as he leans toward the youthful beauty who greets him with open arms. Size of impression: 8.5″ W x 13.25″ H (21.6 cm x 33.7 cm); of sheet: 9.25″ W x 13.75″ H (23.5 cm x 34.9 cm); of matte: 16″ W x 21.5″ H (40.6 cm x 54.6 cm)
“Despite living three hundred years before the Romantic movement, Rosa–a poet, satirist, composer, etcher, and painter–epitomized the Romantic rebel. He refused to paint on commission or to agree on a price beforehand, and he chose his own subjects. He painted in order ‘to be carried away by the transports of enthusiasm and use my brushes only when I feel myself rapt.’
“Rosa studied in Naples, where Jusepe Ribera’s realism influenced him. Encouraged by Giovanni Lanfranco, Rosa went to Rome in 1635. A bout with malaria drove him back to Naples, but he returned in 1639, resolving ‘to have his name on everybody’s lips.’ His amateur theatrical group lampooned the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, prompting Rosa’s quick departure. In Florence he enjoyed Medici patronage and founded the Accademia dei Percossi (Academy of the Afflicted), a crossroads for literati and artists. Rosa considered his innovative, rugged landscapes as mere recreation; in his mind only religious or historical subjects constituted ‘High Art.’ In 1649 he settled in Rome to work toward success as a history painter.” (The Getty)
Impressions of “Apollo and the Cumaean Sibyl” by Salvator Rosa have been collected by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (17.50.17-88), the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1985-52-1830), the de Young Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (1963.30.36413), the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art (81-25/1), Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections (2010.25.3), and the Christchurch Art Gallery in New Zealand (83/89).
Condition: Very good, clear impression, printed with a light tone and small margins. Some light wrinkling to paper in small area of left margin and remains of old adhesive on verso from previous display, but otherwise in excellent condition. Signed “ROSA” on base of lyre in lower right. Stamps from Gray Collection and Fogg Art Museum on verso. “B. 17 Apollo & la Sibylle Cumee” inscribed in graphite on lower left margin and “3374” inscribed in graphite over Gray Collection stamp on verso. Watermark of fleur-de-lis in a circle near bottom. Set in matte with some minor stains to matte and Royal Athena label in upper left.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, bequeathed in 1856; ex-Francis Calley Gray, Massachusetts, USA
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