Netherlandish School, 17th century

This pair of panels, both with decoratively painted reverses, feature mythological musicians. On one panel, the god Orpheus charms the animals around him; on the other, the mythological poet Arion plays his kithara as he is rescued from pirates by a dolphin who carries him to shore.    

Although the panels appear northern in origin, each composition seemingly has roots in Italian prints that would have been circulating in the north during the 17^th century, such as those by Antonio Tempesta. The panel illustrating Orpheus, for example, draws elements from a print of the same subject by Tempesta,¹ and the soldiers in the foreground of the panel of Arion also emulate those found in many of the artist’s prints. 

That both of these works have painted reverses suggests that they may have once served a as doors to a piece of furniture or another type of object. 

1. https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/RP-P-OB-37.764(R)