FOLLOWER OF MAERTEN DE VOS | The nine Muses with Apollo trimming the wings of a Siren

Anonymous sale, Paris, Pierre Bergé & Associés, 26 March 2004, lot 22 (as 'attributed to Marten de Vos').

The exact meaning of this intriguing and colourful composition remains to be discovered. It could well depict The Contest between the Muses and the Sirens, a singing competition which the Muses won and resulted in the Sirens having their wings clipped. In the picture we can see Apollo trimming the wings of one of the mermaid-like sirens. To the left enters a Pan-like creature covered in ivy and to the right a large sailing boat navigates choppy seas. Furthermore in the right middle ground a young girl in yellow with distinct facial features stands out, appearing to be a portrait of a girl known to the artist and a possible portrait historisé.