Attributed To Jan Van Kessel The Elder (1626 - 1679), Allegory Of The Earth

Attributed to Jan van Kessel the Elder
Flemish painter
Antwerp 1626 – 1679 Antwerp
The Triumph of Ceres in the Allegory of Earth
Oil on copper : 31,2 X 43,6 cm
Unsigned
Frame : 44,0 X 57,0 cm

Our composition goes back to paintings from 1610 and 1611 by Jan Brueghel I from the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Lyon and from the Doria Pamphilj collection in Rome. Several versions from Jan Brueghel I and from his son Jan II exist, others are being attributed to their workshops, to Antwerp painters from their circle or from their family (such as the van Kessels). Jan van Kessel I was a grandson of Jan Brueghel I, who had strongly influenced him.

The subject is the Allegory of Earth: the Greek goddess of agriculture and of harvest, Ceres (her Roman name is Demeter) is represented at the centre of the composition. She is holding the Cornucopia, the horn of plenty. The castle at left is said to represent Tervuren, S. of Brussels. That important building was demolished in 1782.

All my paintings stand fully documented on my website:
https://www.jeanmoust.com/categories/biblical-mythological-and-allegorical-scenes/kessel-attributed-to-jan-i-van-ceres/the-allegory-of-earth-5202142