What defines 18th-century French mythological painting?

Mythological painting in 18th-century France was a central element of the history painting genre, depicting allegorical and classical narratives from ancient Greek and Roman literature using structured figural compositions and refined colour palettes.

What materials were traditionally used for French oil paintings of this era?

Artists painted with ground oil pigments on hand-stretched linen canvases, which were mounted into carved timber frames treated with gesso and hand-applied gold leaf gilding.

How can authentic 18th-century classical oil paintings be identified?

Authentic period paintings feature natural craquelure across the paint layer, hand-carved stretcher construction, traditional water gilding techniques on the frame, and period-appropriate brushwork.

How can classical mythological paintings be styled in a modern interior?

An 18th-century mythological painting can be positioned as a focal feature above a fireplace mantelpiece or modern sideboard, allowing the ornate giltwood frame to contrast with clean architectural lines.

How should antique oil paintings and gilded frames be preserved?

Keep the painting in a climate-controlled room away from direct sunlight and heat sources, clean the gilded frame with a soft dry brush, and consult a professional conservator for canvas maintenance.

for sale €25,740 $27,940

£22,000

Period Portraits

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Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"

Name: Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1231616
Price: 22000 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Period Portraits

Description

A fine pair of large and fine early/mid eighteenth century allegorical oils attributed to Charles Antoine Coypel (1694-1752)

Painted in the round one depicts Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of the sun and the arts, who fell in love with the nymph Daphne. Chased to a riverbank, Daphne is praying to her father, the river god, Peneus, for help. At the moment Apollo reaches out to touch her, she transforms into a laurel tree, with branches and roots sprouting from her body.

The other depicts Venus likely partnered by Apollo and is an allegory of love or abundance: The shell which is often associated with Venus symbolises femininity, sensuality, and birth and the golden contents within it wealth and blessings, or indeed the richness of love being shared between the two figures.

Charles Antoine Coypel (1649-1752)

Coypel was a was a French painter and engraver and member of the celebrated artistic Coypel family. His first teacher was his father, Antoine Coypel who he worked with until his father’s death in 1722. Charles then inherited the elder Coypel’s painting and design responsibilities at court, becoming the chief painter of Philippe II. Due d”Orleans and received lodging at the Louvre, which he retained until his death. In 1747 he became the director of the Royal Academy and chief painter of the king.

Coypel’s masterpiece was a large work portraying scenes from Don Quixote (1716). He also received several commissions for the chateau of Versailles and for the chapel of Trianon; and he worked for the king’s mistress,MAdame die pompadour. In 1747 Coypel received a commission for tapestries for the queen of Poland, a series of scenes from various plays. Coypel also painted portraits of the duc d’Orléans, Louis XV and other political and religious figures; he also painted actors. Coypel is also noteworthy for his writings, which include prose, verse, two tragedies, and several comedies.

This fine pair of museum quality oils are are housed in matching antique empire style frames. They are in an excellent state of conservation, having benefitted from a surface clean and re varnish, and their pigments remain particularly fresh and vibrant.

Higher resolution images on request.

Worldwide shipping available.

Canvas : 34" x 34" / 87cm x 87cm.

Frame: 44" x 44” / 112cm x 112cm.

Physical Dimensions

Height

112cm (44.09")

Width

112cm (44.09")

Depth

6cm (2.36")

Declaration

Period Portraits has dated this Classical Mythological Oil Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1231616

Description

A fine pair of large and fine early/mid eighteenth century allegorical oils attributed to Charles Antoine Coypel (1694-1752)

“

Painted in the round one depicts Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of the sun and the arts, who fell in love with the nymph Daphne.

Period Portraits

Chased to a riverbank, Daphne is praying to her father, the river god, Peneus, for help. At the moment Apollo reaches out to touch her, she transforms into a laurel tree, with branches and roots sprouting from her body.

fig 1. An 18th-century circular classical oil painting set in a square gilded frame depicting the mythological narrative of Apollo and Daphne. — fig 1. Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"

The other depicts Venus likely partnered by Apollo and is an allegory of love or abundance: The shell which is often associated with Venus symbolises femininity, sensuality, and birth and the golden contents within it wealth and blessings, or indeed the richness of love being shared between the two figures.

fig 2. An 18th-century circular classical oil painting set in a square gilded frame depicting the mythological narrative of Apollo and Daphne. — fig 2. Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"

Charles Antoine Coypel (1649-1752)

Coypel was a was a French painter and engraver and member of the celebrated artistic Coypel family. His first teacher was his father, Antoine Coypel who he worked with until his father’s death in 1722. Charles then inherited the elder Coypel’s painting and design responsibilities at court, becoming the chief painter of Philippe II. Due d”Orleans and received lodging at the Louvre, which he retained until his death. In 1747 he became the director of the Royal Academy and chief painter of the king.

fig 3. An 18th-century circular classical oil painting set in a square gilded frame depicting the mythological narrative of Apollo and Daphne. — fig 3. Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"

Coypel’s masterpiece was a large work portraying scenes from Don Quixote (1716). He also received several commissions for the chateau of Versailles and for the chapel of Trianon; and he worked for the king’s mistress,MAdame die pompadour. In 1747 Coypel received a commission for tapestries for the queen of Poland, a series of scenes from various plays. Coypel also painted portraits of the duc d’Orléans, Louis XV and other political and religious figures; he also painted actors. Coypel is also noteworthy for his writings, which include prose, verse, two tragedies, and several comedies.

fig 4. An 18th-century circular classical oil painting set in a square gilded frame depicting the mythological narrative of Apollo and Daphne. — fig 4. Charles-antoine Coypel (1694 -1752) - Pair of Classical Oil Paintings 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'Venus and Apollo"

This fine pair of museum quality oils are are housed in matching antique empire style frames. They are in an excellent state of conservation, having benefitted from a surface clean and re varnish, and their pigments remain particularly fresh and vibrant.