The Judgment Of Midas, 19th Century By George Arnald (1763-1841)

The Judgment Of Midas, 19th Century by George Arnald (1763-1841) $100,000 Huge 19th Century English Old Master of The Judgment of Midas, oil on canvas by George Arnald. Excellent quality and undamaged classic scene from the Greek myth of King Midas. Presented in its old original gilt frame made for the Royal Academy exhibition in 1824. Signed. Dimensions: 66" x 51" framed approx. Exhibited London, Royal Academy, 1824, no. 257. The inspiration for this composition is the story of the musical contest between Pan and Apollo. Pan, having the audacity to speak ill of Apollo's music, entered the seemingly unequal competition which was to be overseen by Tmolus, who duly judged in Apollo's favor. The rest is told by Ovid in book XI of the Metamorphoses, lines 172-179. 'Everyone agreed with the verdict of the venerable mountain, but not Midas. He objected to the decision, declaring it unfair. The Delian God would not allow such stupid ears to retain their human form; he lengthened them, filled them with spiky gray hair, and made them moveable, where they joined the king's head, so that they could contract. The rest of Midas' form remained human, for he was doomed to lose only that part: but he was made to take the ears of a heavy donkey.