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Notes
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The artist was commissioned by Carlo Archinto to decorate the ceiling of his palace in Milan. One of the five elements of the ceiling illustrates the story of Apollo and Phaethon from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Phaethon's father, Helios, drives the chariot of the Sun across the heavens every day. Phaethon begs Helios to be allowed to drive the chariot and Helios reluctantly agrees. Phaethon cannot control the horses. They veer off course, too near to Earth, scorching it, creating deserts and forest fires, and turning men black. Eventually Jupiter throws a thunderbolt, which hurls Phaeton from the chariot to his death. Ovid begins his story with a description of Helios' palace, the chariot and horses, Helios' reluctance and concern, followed by a beautiful passage about dawn rising and Phaethon's excited departure.
This oil sketch explores the theme of Apollo and Phaethon but its relationship to the Archinto ceiling is unclear. The ceiling was completed in 1731 but sadly destroyed in 1943 during the Second World War. Some scholars have dated The Bowes Museum’s sketch as late as c.1733–1736, several years after the completion of the ceiling.
Title
The Harnessing of the Horses of the Sun
Date
c.1731–1736
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 98.1 x W 73.6 cm
Accession number
B.M.51
Acquisition method
bequeathed by the Founders, 1885
Work type
Painting
The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8NP England
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