Artwork

Myrrha and Cinyras

Myrrha and Cinyras, by Antonio Zanchi, oil, 1681
Myrrha and Cinyras, by Antonio Zanchi, oil, 1681

Myrrha and Cinyras is an oil painting by Antonio Zanchi. It dates from 1681 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

The painting Myrrha and Cinyras, created around 1681 by Antonio Zanchi, is an oil-on-canvas work depicting a dramatic scene from mythology. It is now held in the National Museum in Warsaw.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a man and woman in a tense moment, identified as Myrrha and Cinyras, figures from mythology. The woman, dressed in white, grasps the man's arm, while he sits with one leg bent and the other extended, his torso bare except for a cloth around his waist.

Technique & Style

Zanchi's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits contrasts between light and dark, creates a sense of depth and drama. The dark background throws the figures into relief, emphasizing their interaction and emotional state.

History & Provenance

Antonio Zanchi, active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was a Venetian Baroque painter known for his dramatic scenes. He worked across northern Italy and beyond, producing works that remain in major cities.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Antonio Zanchi

Artist

Antonio Zanchi

Antonio Zanchi (Italian pronunciation: ; 6 December 1631 – 12 April 1722) was an Italian painter of the Baroque, active mainly in Venice, but his prolific works can also be seen in Padova, Treviso, Rovigo, Verona,…