Adam Elsheimer - Il Contento. 17th century painting

'Il Contento' illustrates an episode in the Spanish picaresque novel ‚Guzman de Alfarache‘, published by Mateo Aleman in Madrid in 1599 and issued in an Italian version in 1606.In the story, the people on Earth worshipped the god Contento (god of contentment and happiness) more than any other. Jealous of this, Jupiter sent Mercury to abduct Contento and replace him with his twin brother Discontento. Elsheimer was the first artist ever to depict this story, but he deviated from the novel by turning Contento into a female goddess. On the left, Jupiter hovers in mid-air while directing Mercury, who is seen wearing his distinctive winged hat and pulling Contento above the devoted crowd. In the background, people enjoy a variety of sports and games, unaware of their imminent `discontentment?.[1]

↑ National Gallery of Scotland

art 1600 s mythological paintings 1600 s paintings from germany 1607 paintings in the united kingdom 17th century oil on copper paintings by adam elsheimer 17th century oil paintings in the united kingdom 17th century paintings of animals baroque paintings in the scottish national gallery german paintings in the scottish national gallery guzman de alfarache images from art uk paintings of animals in the united kingdom paintings of horses in the united kingdom people with goats in art ultra high resolution high resolution renaissance art italian renaissance mannerism late renaissance

1600

Art UK

https://artuk.org/

public domain