French or Italian, 17th Century

Christie's London, 4 December 2008, lot 52;

Where acquired by Aso O. Tavitian.

According to Hesiod's epic poem Theogony, in which he describes the genealogy of the Greek gods, the three graces are the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, and each personifies a sacred gift to humanity: Euphrosyne represents mirth, Aglaia elegance, and Thalia youth and beauty.

The subject of the Three Graces has intrigued artists since its inception, with some of the earliest known depictions dating to the 7-6 century BCE. The popularity of the motif persisted through the Hellenistic period, as evidenced by the frescos in Pompeii showing the three daughters, two facing towards the viewer and the one in the centre with her back to the viewer, with their arms entangled. The most famous depiction of Three Graces in sculpture is Antonio Canova's marble from 1814–1817, the finest example of which is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (acc. no. A.4-1994).

RELATED LITERATURE

S. Cassani, ed., The National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Naples 1996, p. 164.