Barque Painting Apollo and Marsyas with King Midas

Photos
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Description

Old Master Work in Gilt Frame | After Filippo Lauri

An impressive and atmospheric 18th-century Italian Baroque oil on canvas, depicting the dramatic mythological contest between Apollo, god of music, and the satyr Marsyas, with King Midas shown delivering judgment.

This large-scale work follows a composition attributed to Filippo Lauri (1623–1694), a prominent painter of the Roman Baroque school. Painted in the tradition of Old Master narrative art, this piece offers both rich storytelling and decorative grandeur.

Subject & Context
The painting illustrates a famous tale from classical mythology: Marsyas discovers the aulos (a double-reeded flute) and boldly challenges Apollo’s musical supremacy. As the myth unfolds, Marsyas is judged by King Midas (or the Muses, in other versions), but ultimately loses when Apollo shifts the rules—underscoring themes of hubris, divine power, and justice.

The punishment is severe: Apollo has Marsyas flayed alive, a stark reminder of the perils of human pride when pitted against the gods. This cautionary theme echoes through other myths, such as Arachne and Niobe, and was widely explored in Renaissance and Baroque art.

Composition & Technique
The composition is set in a lush woodland glade beneath a dramatic sky.
Apollo is depicted with his stringed cithara, Marsyas clutches his flute, and King Midas sits nearby in judgment.
The scene is rendered with strong chiaroscuro, anatomical precision, and dynamic movement.
The artist’s use of colour and theatrical gesture reflects Baroque stylistic principles and the influence of Lauri’s school.
Medium & Dimensions
Oil on canvas, unlined
Frame Dimensions: Height 72 cm x Width 97.5 cm x Depth 4.5 cm
Weight: Approx. 9 kg (unwrapped)
Frame
Presented in a richly carved gilt gesso frame, with classic Baroque scrollwork and foliate detailing. The frame enhances the overall period aesthetic and is ready for immediate display.

Artist Attribution
Unsigned, as typical for studio or follower works of the 18th century
Attributed to an artist of the Italian School, working in the style of Filippo Lauri, who was known for elegant mythological subjects and collaborated with Claude Lorrain and Filippo Gagliardi.
Provenance
From a private collection in Northern England
Previously sold by Tennants Auctioneers
Now part of the curated holdings of Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Condition Report
Antique condition with age-related wear consistent with 18th-century works:
Craquelure throughout
Areas of paint loss and inpainting
Minor foxing and darkening on canvas reverse
Several historic repairs
Frame has scuffs, chips, and cracking
Would benefit from professional restoration, though remains visually impactful and structurally stable as-is.

Highlights
Authentic 18th-century Italian Baroque painting
Classical mythological subject with strong decorative appeal
Elegant statement piece for collectors, designers, or period interiors
Professionally curated and offered with provenance
Shipping & Enquiries
Worldwide shipping available – professionally packed and fully insured
Please contact us with any questions or to request additional images or details
Available to purchase directly or via our eBay shop: Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Add this compelling Old Master work to your collection today—a richly storied and visually powerful example of Baroque narrative painting.

Goods can be bought by either International bank wire transfer or domestic BACS payment we can email you an invoice together with our banking instructions. Cash upon collection is also accepted. Shipping is with insurance cover. Import duty and taxes payable by the buyer please enquire if you need any assistance. Delivery time is usually within 2 weeks for International and 1 week for domestic shipping approximate. It can be faster depending upon the size and weight of the item(s) that you ordering from us. You are also welcome to arrange for your own courier to collect as long as we have received full cleared payment.
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Registered Office Address

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ

Company Number 15666518
GB VAT registration number 466128775


Making Payment
Goods can be bought by either International bank wire transfer or domestic BACS payment we can email you an invoice together with our banking instructions. Cash upon collection is also accepted. Shipping is with insurance cover. Import duty and taxes payable by the buyer please enquire if you need any assistance. Delivery time is usually within 2 weeks for International and 1 week for domestic shipping approximate. It can be faster depending upon the size and weight of the item(s) that you ordering from us. You are also welcome to arrange for your own courier to collect as long as we have received full cleared bank transfer payment.
Shipping information
We offer Free Delivery to Mainland England, Wales mainland & Scottish lowlands mainland areas only!
For International buyers please contact us before you order as shipping costs are additional please request a shipping quote, also to advise that any import duty taxes due are additional and are payable by the buyer.


Scottish Highlands & all islands also for International buyers please get in touch for an international shipping quote thankyou. Our preferred Payment is by by BACS Bank Transfer, we can also accept stripe, amazon pay, google pay & paypal.

Confirmation of delivery is provided by email or text message, which includes a courier tracking number and date of posting or collection. Shipping costs are charged based upon the type of shipping service used, either express, standard or economy services and size and weight of item.

Delivery by parcel courier within the UK Mainland will be used for all smalls, paintings & all furniture items allow between 2 to 5 working days delivery time. Online tracking can be provided. International delivery airfreight is available estimated delivery times between 5 to 14 working days approximate upon request by providing your full name and address together with a postal area or zip code and a contact phone number.

Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance and any other charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Terms and conditions
For International buyers please contact us before you order as shipping costs are additional please request a shipping quote, also to advise that any import duty taxes due are additional and are payable by the buyer.
For both domestic & International buyers please get in touch for a shipping quote thankyou. Our payment method is by BACS Bank Transfer for UK domestic clients and for International clients payment is preferred by international bank wire transfer. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
For International buyers Payment is required within 3 calendar days of the sale being agreed.

If payment is not received within this time. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD reserves the right to consider selling the item (s) to another customer at its discretion.

Deposit payments are accepted, however shipping will not take place until the balance has been paid in full and to advise deposit payments are non refundable.

Upgrades & Exchanges are also offered please ask.

Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt. The buyer is solely responsible for paying the entire costs of the outbound & return shipping costs also any import costs & duty taxes due. Return authorisation should be requested by sending an email before posting. Once we receive the item in good order as supplied not withstanding notified transit damage, we will return partial refund payment using the same payment method less our shipping costs. For any Refunds given the refund amount will have our cost of the outbound shipping costs deducted.

Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Date18th Century MakerItalian School DimensionsDimensions in inches & centimetres of the frame approximate High 28.34" (72cm) Wide 38.38" (97.5cm) Depth 1.77" (4.5cm) ConditionCondition report. Offered in fine old used condition.The front painting surface has various paint loss in areas, paint touch ups in places, with noticeable craquelure as expected with extreme old age, with obvious foxing to the back and with old age. Tears to the canvas surface and old repairs in places. The frame having some chips & cracking in places, repairs, scuffs, scratches commensurate with usage. Codeas1013a481 Price £45000.00     52020.00     $60048.00    The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 8/JUN/2026.
Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
StatusFor Sale SellerCheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd Telephone07494 763382Non UK callers :+44 7494 763382 Emailcheshireantiquesconsultant@gmail.com

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