Lot 165
European School, 19th Century. After William Etty (English, 1820-1848). "The Coral Finder: Venus and her Youthful Satellites Arriving at the Isle of Paphos" oil on canvas, 1820. A beautiful painting depicting the birth of the Roman goddess Venus in Cyprus. Here, the alabaster-skinned beauty lounges atop a boat, presumably carrying her to the shores of Paphos, her youthful body nude save for dangling pearl earrings, a single gold chain at her neck, and white drapery that cascades over her left leg. Her hair is elegantly pulled up in a filet as she lovingly places one arm around the winged Cupid, and a young oarsman rows behind her. This composition is most likely a study from the painting "The Coral Finder: Venus and her Youthful Satellites" by English artist William Etty. Size: 17" W x 13.5" H (43.2 cm x 34.3 cm)
William Etty (1787-1849) was an English painter best known for his depictions of historical and mythological scenes, often featuring the human form, particularly nudes. Born in York, he showed an early talent for art and moved to London in 1807 to study at the Royal Academy Schools. He was influenced by the works of the Old Masters, particularly Rubens and Titian, which is evident in his rich use of color and dramatic compositions.
Etty gained recognition in 1821 with his painting The Coral Finder, which established his reputation. Despite facing criticism for his frequent depictions of the nude figure - considered controversial at the time - he remained committed to his artistic vision. His major works, such as The Combat (1825) and The Judgement of Paris (c. 1825-1835), showcase his mastery of anatomy, texture, and light.
Later in life, Etty returned to York, where he advocated for the preservation of the city's historical architecture. He died in 1849, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britains most distinctive Romantic painters, admired for his technical skill and bold artistic choices.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, USA, March 2018; ex-private Texas, USA collection, acquired 1988; ex-Waddington's, Toronto, Canada
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#191834
- Condition: Glue-canvas; frame wear; seven scattered spots of loss along the right edge and edge of the upper right corner; surface grime; under UV light, there appears to be inpaint along top left edge and two thin vertical lines from upper left edge into far left figure. Otherwise, very nice presentation.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |