CHATSWORTH SUMMER FINE ART SALE May 28th & 29th 2024

118 IMPERFECTIONS NOT STATED Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 977. A rare mid-sixteenth Century Flemish allegorical Tapestry , depicting “The Choice of Hercules,” 10.5 feet x 10.5 feet (126” x 126”) 320cms x 320cms. (1) “The Choice of Hercules,” tells the story of the popular Hero facing a dilemma over choosing between a life of pleasure or vice. The story became popular in the sixteenth century, after it was translated from the works of the Greek philosopher Podicus, as a model to encourage young men to choose virtue over vice. The scene takes place in the garden of a Renaissance palace with a view of a river in a verdant landscape, richly dotted with castles. Hercules (identified as Labor after his famous exploits) is seated at a banquet in the company of the gorgeously attired figure of Voluptas (Pleasure) and Venus with another unnamed goddess. The latter goddess is reminiscent of certain female figures who were active in the early sixteenth century. From behind the figure of Venus, her son Cupid (Amor) appears with flagons of wine which his mother distributes to the guests. At the upper right of the tapestry courtiers pair off for assignments in the direction of a tower, while over on the upper left side of the banquet a female appears to flee the attentions of another courtier. Meanwhile, a repoussoir female figure on the bottom right, in front of Amor, is apparently deep in slumber. The Tapestry has a rich floral border. Provenance: From the collection of the late Hurd Hatfield (1917-1998), the American actor best known for playing the lead role in the Oscar winning movie The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). Mr. Hatfield lived latterly in Rathcormac in Co. Cork. €10,000 - €15,000