Attributed to Gérard de Lairesse (Dutch, 1641-1711)
The Deification of Aeneas

bears later inscription 'P Tiedeman' (on the reverse and lower right on the mount)
pen and brown ink wash

Unframed: 22 x 21 cm. (8 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.) Framed: 41 x 34.5 cm. (16 1/8 x 13 1/2 in.)

A rare subject, 'The Deification of Aeneas' appears to have been depicted by only several artists in Amsterdam during the late 17th century, these include Karel du Jardin in 1665 (https://rkd.nl/imageslite/118149) and Jan van Neck in 1683 (https://rkd.nl/images/244187). The attribution to Gerard de Lairesse is based on close comparison to his drawings of 'Saint Anthony' and 'Allegorical representation with the river gods of the Amstel and the IJ in front of a niche', created for the Amsterdam Leprozenhuis (Amsterdam, Stadsarchief). The present work could also be considered an early sketch for a painting of the same subject, painted circa 1665/66, where comparison can be drawn with the repoussoir figure seen to the right of the composition.(1)

We are grateful to Jasper Hillegers for his assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.

References:
1. Roy, A., 'Gérard de Lairesse (1640-1711)', Paris 1992, pp. 201-202, no. P.15.