JACOB VAN DER ULFT | THE PHIDIAN STATUE OF ZEUS AT OLYMPIA, WITH OLYMPIC GAMES TAKING PLACE AT ITS FEET

Jacob van der Ulft is known principally for his architectural and topographical views. As a work of fantasy, the present work is somewhat of an anomaly within his painted œuvre. The colossal statue of Zeus is seated in the centre of the temple; to the right is a statue of Hercules, one of Zeus' sons, standing with his club and a lion skin. Spectators watching the Olympic Games wrestling and equestrian competitions; and in the foreground a kneeling athlete is awarded a laurel wreath.

The main elements of the composition follow the engraving of 1572 by Philips Galle, after a drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck - part of a series depicting the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The artist Willem van Nieulandt the Younger also depicted the scene, and appears to have inspired the bright palette of Van der Ulft’s painting. Such a subject reflects the learned Early Modern fascination with the Ancient World.