A Forest with Apollo and Daphne
Jean-Victor Bertin·1810
Historical Context
Jean-Victor Bertin's Forest with Apollo and Daphne, painted in 1810, combines classical landscape composition with the mythological subject of Apollo pursuing the fleeing nymph Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape him. Bertin, a pupil of Valenciennes and teacher of Corot, was one of the principal practitioners of the historical landscape genre that combined idealized natural settings with classical or biblical narratives. His work bridges Neoclassical landscape and the more naturalistic approach of the next generation.
Technical Analysis
Bertin's oil-on-fabric technique creates a carefully structured composition with classical framing trees and a luminous clearing for the mythological figures. The palette balances rich greens and browns with touches of brighter color in the figures, maintaining the measured harmony of Neoclassical landscape.
Provenance
M. Kornienko, Paris. Bought in January 1974 by Shepherd Gallery, New York. Sold in March 1974 to Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin, Cleveland. Given to the CMA on 29 November 1975.
