In Ovid's Metamorphoses the sea-goddess Thetis resists the advances of the mortal Peleus and before he captures her, she changes herself in into a hundred different forms. She represents the opacity of dreams and they symbolize the ongoing dissonance between divine and mortal. Their son is Achilles, the greatest of all mortal warriors.
Here Peleus lunges forward, grasping her drapery to carry Thetis off, whilst two nereids flee to either side, one holding a diminutive dolphin. The reverse shows a departure scene with a central armed warrior between draped figures. The painting is of fine quality and is reminiscent of the Kleophrades Painter.
Post Lot Text
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price.