Pan and Syrinx
Caesar van Everdingen·c. 1644 - c. 1652
Historical Context
Van Everdingen's Pan and Syrinx, painted between 1644 and 1652, depicts the mythological pursuit of the nymph Syrinx by the god Pan. This Ovidian subject was popular among Dutch Classicist painters who sought to demonstrate their mastery of the classical nude figure within mythological narratives. Van Everdingen's version reflects the Dutch attempt to compete with Italian and French painters in the depiction of classical subjects.
Technical Analysis
Van Everdingen's oil-on-canvas technique renders the mythological figures with the classicizing idealism of the Dutch Classical manner. The landscape setting provides a naturalistic backdrop for the mythological action, while the flesh tones show the smooth, luminous modeling influenced by Italian painting.
Provenance
div p ? Probate inventory, Caesar van Everdingen, Alkmaar, after 13 October 1678 ( 9 Een Amasona van Cv:Everdingen f 36 );{P. Huys Janssen, _ em Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonn /em _, Doornspijk 2002, pp. 78, 180.} ? the family of the artist s brother, Allaert van Everdingen;{P. Huys Janssen, _ em Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonn /em _, Doornspijk 2002, p. 180.} ; private collection, Germany;{P. Huys Janssen, _ em Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonn /em _, Doornspijk 2002, p. 78; J.F. Heijbroek and A.T.P. van Griensven, _ em Kunst, kennis en kwaliteit: De Vereeniging van Handelaren in Oude Kunst in Nederland 1911-heden /em _, Zwolle 2007, p. 174.} ; the dealer Albrecht Neuhaus, W rzburg, until March 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019.} the dealer P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019.} collection J.K. Luttikhuis, Abcoude, from June 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019; note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972-92 (inv. no. SK-C-1517); from whom purchased by the museum, fl. 120,000, 1992 /p /div
