The Mocking of Latona, 1601

Dimensions: 36.5 x 55.0 x min. 0.4 cm
maximum depth: 0.6 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on oak

Inventory Number: 1113

Acquisition: Acquired in 1876

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 9

Texts

About the Work

The artist – also known as ‘Flower Brueghel’ or ‘Paradise Brueghel’ for his meticulous depiction of flora and fauna – painted this scene soon after his return from Italy. His subject is an episode from Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’: Latona, Jupiter’s mistress, is prevented from slaking her thirst by some peasants who are cutting reeds in a pool. She curses the peasants, who at once turn into frogs. Jan Brueghel the Elder was endowed with the skill to portray the figures and their transformation just as vividly as the shady woodland lake and the view of the landscape in the distance.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: The Mocking of Latona

Painter

Jan Brueghel the Elder

Period Produced

17th century

School

Baroque

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on oak

Material

oak wood

Technique

mixed technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Signiert und datiert unten links: BRVEGHEL. 1601.

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1876

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Jupiter

Illustrated Passage

Ovid: Metamorphosen, 6. Buch, Die lykischen Bauern, 339-381

Iconclass

Primary

97E4 Lycian farmers changed into frogs: Latona changes Lycian farmers into frogs, because while they were weeding a marsh, they prevented her and her children from quenching their thirst (Ovid, Metamorphoses VI 369)
83(OVID,Metamorphosen) (OVID,Metamorphosen) specific works of literature (with AUTHOR, Title)
25HH2(+1) landscapes with waters, waterscapes, seascapes (in the temperate zone) - HH - ideal landscapes (+ landscape with figures, staffage)

Secondary