Daniel Vertangen

Anonymous sale, Lund, Crafoord Auktioner, 28 December 2024, lot 3988156;

Where acquired.

The subject of this painting is taken from Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron (5: 1). Cimon, the cloaked figure on the left, was the son of a Cyprian nobleman, who confined his son to his country estates. As such, Cimon had little exposure to society and was considered coarse or uncultured. One summer morning, however, while wandering the estate, he stumbled upon Iphigenia asleep by a stream and was instantly struck by her beauty. The power of his love for Iphigenia, which eventually resulted in the couple's marriage, transformed Cimon into an elegant and polished gentleman.

Another version of this composition, of inferior quality and painted on panel, appeared for sale at Cambi, Genoa, in February 2024.¹ Unlike the present work, the Cambi picture does not bear a signature and may have been produced, therefore, by an artist in Vertangen's circle.

¹ Oil on panel, 36 x 27 cm.; Daniel Vertangen : Cimone e Efigenia - olio su tavola - Auction Old Masters - Cambi Casa d'Aste.