Venus in her Chariot
possibly Italian (Venetian) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1500 - circa 1599
Materials
Fresco transferred to canvas
Measurements
1295 x 1651 mm (51 x 65 in)
Place of origin
Venice
Order this imageCollection
Kingston Lacy Estate, Dorset
NT 1257225.1
Summary
Fresco transferred to enlarged canvas (octagonal), Venus in her Chariot, possibly Italian (Venetian) School, circa 16th century. The painting is surrounded by eight ornamental panels of birds, ornamental fleurs-de-lis, and a monogram. It was probably made up after William Bankes's death, using elements that he had already sent back for the -abanodoned - ceiling of the Library, together with the rruined survivor of a group of fresco fragments ascribed to Veronese from the Palazzo Morosini in Venice that he had bought in London in 1838. It was awkwardly enlarged from arectangle to a reduction of the octagon originally intended to tke Tintorettos' painting of Apollo... Curiously, whilst three of the corners contain ornamental versions of the Bankes fleur-de-lis, the fourth contains a monogram composed of the letters 'A' and 'B' - which were the maiden initials of William's sister, Lady Falmouth: Anne Bankes, who must have been dead by the time they were painted - or perhaps just repainted.
Provenance
purportedly from the Palazzo Morosini in Venice; acquired by William John Bankes in London in 1838; bequeathed by Ralph Bankes, 1981
Makers and roles
possibly Italian (Venetian) School , artist Italian (Venetian) School , artist