_Rubens_ (Flemish: 1577-1640). _See 38._
A finished study for a salver which was executed in silver for Charles
I.
"The central oval shows a goddess borne along and attended on
the surface of the waves by nymphs and tritons; sea gods and
goddesses, riding on aquatic monsters, disport themselves in
the broad flat border surrounding the central panel. Rubens may
be said to have here surpassed himself in those qualities of
movement and brilliant execution in which he was unrivalled.
His form, often florid in contour, although always supple, has
here a grace and beauty entirely in harmony with the classic
theme, and the personages are inspired with that immortal
gaiety which has so rarely found expression, save in the work
of the master's contemporary, our national poet, since it
vanished at the final decay of Greek art and literature. Of a
piece with the delightful imaginative qualities so prodigally
lavished on the present panel is the truly marvellous
execution. The hand has played over the surface with a
lightness and delicacy surprising even to those familiar with
the touch of the master in his first sketches for important
compositions. The method employed is simple and direct; the
figures have been outlined in pen and ink, then a general glaze
has been spread over the entire surface, on which the forms
were modelled in white and gray, the ultimate result being a
warm silvery tone" (_Times_, December 22, 1885).
This design, which was sold at the Hamilton sale (1882) for £1680, was
bought for the nation three years later at the Beckett Denison sale for
£672.