Adriaen Van Nieulandt (1587 - 1658), The Musical Contest Between Pan And Apollo

Adriaen van Nieulandt
Dutch painter of Flemish origin
Antwerp 1587 – 1658 Amsterdam
The musical contest between Pan and Apollo
Oil on oval panel : 67,0 X 91,6 cm
Unsigned
Frame : 87,0 X 111,1 cm

Adriaen van Nieulandt was a versatile Amsterdam painter, who painted very diverse subjects. Apparently at a young age he was already rich thanks to early investments in the Dutch East Indies Company.

Our painting represents the musical contest between the god of the woods, Pan, who was half-man half-goat and the sun god Apollo, whom Pan had challenged. Tmolus pronounced Apollo the winner, but right of him King Midas said Pan should have won. Apollo punished his stupid judgement by giving him ass’s ears. The women at left are the Nine Muses.

All my paintings stand fully documented on my website :
https://www.jeanmoust.com/categories/biblical-mythological-and-allegorical-scenes/nieulandt-adriaen-van/the-musical-contest-between-pan-and-apollo-3798968