A Pair of Paintings: Youth and Love, ca 1900

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Dealer

Peter van Os Antiques & Fine Art

Price

Price on request

Status

Available

Origin

Austria

Period

ca 1900

Signature

H. Zatzka and H. Zatzka Roma

Material

Oil on wooden panels

Reference

241-8

Description

Both paintings show a young girl, symbol of youth, and Cupid, with bow and arrows, the symbol of love. Also the richness of flowers on the paintings symbolize the love.

The painting on the left shows a young girl laughing at Cupid, symbol of love. She is laughing because Cupid has dropped his bow and arrows, as he is being started of by the fountain spraying water. The bow is already on the floor, the arrows are falling down.

The fountain has the head of a faun, which is symbolic for fertility. The yellow flowers under the head of the faun form a wedding drapery, after symbolic flowers which were used in the ancient days in Rome. On the fountain a small sculpture of Cupid is visible.

The painting on the right shows a young girl with Cupid who has been send by her secret admirer. In her hand she holds an arrow which points to her hart. Cupid is smiling, satisfied about the result of his hunting for love. Other symbols of love are the musical instrument and the two turtle-doves.

Behind the blue drapery on the top right side of the painting, a male figure is watching the scene. He is the secret admirer that gave the assignment to Cupid to bring his love to the young girl.
The blue drapery indicates a future wedding. On the bench small sculptures of Cupid are visible.