Artwork
Neptune
Neptune is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Werner van den Valckert. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays the Roman sea god Neptune, identified by his trident and associated marine motifs, embodying themes of power and dominion over water. Rendered as a mythological scene, it reflects the cultural fascination with classical deities during the early 17th century. The composition underscores Neptune's role as a sovereign force, linking divine authority to natural elements.
Technique & Style
Its physical format is vertical, measuring 108 cm in height by 80 cm in width, a proportion suited to a single standing figure composition.
Neptune is executed in oil paint on panel, a support combination typical of early seventeenth-century Dutch cabinet pictures. The work is mythological in genre and dates to 1619. Its physical format is vertical, measuring 108 cm in height by 80 cm in width, a proportion suited to a single standing figure composition. The painting is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
The medium of oil on panel allowed for the fine detail and smooth surface finish associated with Werner van den Valckert's mythological subjects of this period, while the relatively modest dimensions indicate it was intended as a private devotional or collector's piece rather than a large-scale altarpiece or wall decoration.
History & Provenance
Neptune by Werner van den Valckert is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark. The painting, executed in oil on panel in 1619, is part of the museum's holdings of mythological works. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Legacy
The later influence of Neptune, a 1619 mythological painting by Werner van den Valckert, is documented through its inclusion in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst and its continued recognition as a mythological oil painting. The work remains cited in art historical references for its representation of the Roman god and its technical execution in oil on panel, reflecting enduring scholarly interest in its thematic and compositional qualities.
Overview
Neptune is an oil painting created by Werner van den Valckert in 1619. It is a representation of the mythological figure and is currently held at the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Artist & collection
Artist
Werner van den Valckert (1585–1635) was an artist, born in The Hague.
