The Hellespontian sibylle, 17th century

Unknown artist, 17th century. The Hellespontian sibylle, dressed in a pearl-studded suit and headdress with a veil, holding in one hand on a tablet with the Latin text: 'Elespontica. E celo Rex adueniet ver secla futurus Unde Deum cernent incredulus atq. fidelis', oil on canvas, unsigned. 76 x 62 (93 x 78) cm. Doubled canvas, retouching, and fine age-related craquelure. The Hellespontian sibyl lived in the BC 600-500s and was the prophetic priestess at the oracle of Apollo at Dardania. She was known, especially in the late Roman Empire and early Middle Ages, to be attributed to a prophecy that was interpreted as a prediction of Jesus' crucifixion. In Renaissance art, the Sibyls were often reproduced as prophets of the coming of Christ. The wording on her table is an excerpt from such a prophecy.

Kategori

Paintings and sculptures/Older pictorial arts