_Andrea Schiavone_ (Venetian: 1522-1582).
Andrea Meldolla, called Il Schiavone (from his birthplace in
Dalmatia, the country of the Slaves), was born of poor parents,
and died, we are told, "after a life of much suffering as
well as labour"--his works, by which the dealers enriched
themselves, barely supplying him with the means of existence.
He was employed at very small remuneration to paint the outside
of houses and panels for furniture. It is said that he was
rescued from obscurity by Titian. He was a good colourist, and
had considerable imagination. "The colouring of Schiavone,"
says Zanetti, "was much admired by Tintoret, who kept a
painting by that artist in his studio and advised others to
do the same." Among the illustrious painters who followed
Tintoret's advice was our own Lord Leighton, from whose
collection the present picture was bought.
The picture illustrates the myth which told how Jupiter came to Semele,
whom he loved, attended by clouds, lightning, and thunderbolts. This
panel was doubtless painted, as described above, for some piece of
furniture.