Lot number 3563 - Auction 141
HERKULES UND OMPHALE

JAKOB DE WIT 19 December 1695 Amsterdam - 12 November 1754 ibid. HERCULES AND OMPHALE Oil on canvas (old relined). 125 x 139 cm (F. 130 x 145 cm). Signed and dated lower right: 'JdWit 1721'. Part. slightly old rest., left and upper right corner added, min. old retouching, slight loss of colour. Frame. In Greek mythology, the story of Hercules and Omphale is a fascinating chapter that illuminates aspects of atonement, reversal of gender roles and cultural exchange. Hercules, known as the strongest of all Greek heroes, was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. He was famous for his immense strength and the fulfilment of the twelve labours imposed on him by King Eurystheus. However, despite his heroic deeds, Hercules was also known for his irrepressible anger and occasional loss of self-control. After a particularly serious offence - the murder of Iphitos - Hercules sought divine counsel to atone for his sins. The Oracle of Delphi instructed him to sell himself as a slave and the proceeds were to be used as reparation. Hercules was sold to Omphale, the queen of Lydia. Omphale, the daughter of the river god Iardanos, was a powerful and independent ruler. She not only possessed royal authority, but also great wisdom and strength. The relationship between Hercules and Omphale was unusual as it represented a reversal of traditional gender roles. Hercules, the great hero, became a servant and wore the women's clothes of his mistress, while Omphale took over his club and lion skin. During this time, Hercules performed many tasks for Omphale, including heroic deeds that corresponded to his usual role, such as slaying robbers and clearing the landscape of monsters. But at the same time, he also showed himself in more domestic and humble activities that were traditionally considered feminine. These stories illustrate not only the versatility of Hercules, but also the power and influence of Omphale. The episode with Omphale finally ends with Hercules successfully completing his period of atonement and returning a purified and wiser man. Omphale, who had treated him not only as a servant but also as a lover, helped him to recognise his inner balance and his true strength. The story of Hercules and Omphale stands out in Greek mythology for its unusual dynamics and its reversal of traditional role models. It shows that strength and wisdom lie not only in physical power, but also in the ability to be humble and recognise one's own mistakes. Jakob de Wit, born on 19 December 1695 in Amsterdam, was an important Dutch painter of the 18th century who is best known for his masterful grisaille paintings and decorative ceiling and wall paintings. His work is an impressive testimony to the Baroque style, characterised by elegance, lightness and a virtuoso technique. De Wit showed a remarkable talent for painting from an early age. He received his first artistic training from the Amsterdam painter Albert van Spiers. To further refine his skills, he travelled to Antwerp in 1714, where he became a pupil of the renowned painter Jacob van Hal. This time in Antwerp was formative for de Wit, as he became intensively familiarised with the Baroque style of painting and the Flemish tradition. After his return to Amsterdam in 1717, de Wit quickly established himself as a sought-after artist. His speciality was grisaille paintings - monochrome paintings often executed in shades of grey or brown and intended to imitate the appearance of sculptures. He used this technique masterfully to create illusionistic effects, which were highly valued in 18th century interior decoration. Jakob de Wit's works were often large-format ceiling and wall paintings that could be found in the splendid houses of Amsterdam's wealthy bourgeoisie. An outstanding example of his work is the series of ceiling paintings in the Amsterdam City Hall, now the Royal Palace. These works are characterised by their vivid depiction of mythological and allegorical scenes, showing both a deep knowledge of classical themes and a brilliant artistic technique. Another notable work is his painting 'Triumph of Virtue', which is in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This work demonstrates de Wit's ability to create complex compositions and depict the figures in a dynamic, almost sculptural manner. Jakob de Wit was not only successful as a painter, but also as a teacher and patron of the arts. His pupils included some of the most important artists of his time and he made a significant contribution to artistic education in Amsterdam. He died on 12 November 1754 in his hometown of Amsterdam. His work had a lasting influence on Dutch painting in the 18th century, and his artworks can still be admired in numerous museums and collections worldwide. Jakob de Wit remains an important representative of the Baroque, whose work combines elegance, technical perfection and artistic innovation (OpenAI's ChatGPT AI language model, personal communication, 24.07.2024). Provenance: Hessian private collection.