Pan and Syrinx

Caesar van Everdingen (signed by artist), c. 1644 - c. 1652

The nymph Syrinx is on the run, with the forest god Pan, hidden among the dense vegetation, in hot pursuit. Van Everdingen captures the dramatic moment of the metamorphosis as Syrinx implores the river nymphs for help. They transform her into water reeds. Her right foot is already turning green. Disappointed, Pan listens to the wind playing through the tall reeds and subsequently cuts his flute from them.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-4882
  • Dimensionssupport: height 49.3 cm x width 36.8 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Pan and Syrinx

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-4882

  • Description

    De nimf Syrinx is op de vlucht. De bosgod Pan, tussen het groen verscholen, zit haar op de hielen. Van Everdingen heeft gekozen voor het dramatische moment van gedaantewisseling. Syrinx smeekt de riviernimfen om hulp, die haar veranderen in waterriet. Haar rechtervoet wordt al groen. De teleurgestelde Pan hoort de wind door het riet spelen en snijdt daaruit zijn herdersfluit.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature, with ligated monogram, centre left, on a rock: ‘cVE’

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Caesar van Everdingen (signed by artist)

  • Dating

    c. 1644 - c. 1652

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    support: height 49.3 cm x width 36.8 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1992

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    ? Probate inventory, Caesar van Everdingen, Alkmaar, after 13 October 1678 (‘9 Een Amasona van Cv:Everdingen f 36’);{P. Huys Janssen, _Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonné_, Doornspijk 2002, pp. 78, 180.} ? the family of the artist’s brother, Allaert van Everdingen;{P. Huys Janssen, _Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonné_, Doornspijk 2002, p. 180.}…; private collection, Germany;{P. Huys Janssen, _Caesar van Everdingen 1616/17-1678: Monograph and Catalogue Raisonné_, Doornspijk 2002, p. 78; J.F. Heijbroek and A.T.P. van Griensven, _Kunst, kennis en kwaliteit: De Vereeniging van Handelaren in Oude Kunst in Nederland 1911-heden_, Zwolle 2007, p. 174.}…; the dealer Albrecht Neuhaus, Würzburg, until March 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019.} the dealer P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019.} collection J.K. Luttikhuis, Abcoude, from June 1972;{Written communication, Nils de Boer, Amsterdam, 2019; note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1972-92 (inv. no. SK-C-1517); from whom purchased by the museum, fl. 120,000, 1992

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Documentation

  • Arjan de Koomen, Hollandse schoonheid, uit: Kunstschrift, 60, 2016, 4, pagina 10-19 - p. 13, afb. 11

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