Creative Commons License
Cabinet with Mythological Scenes
(Baroque Europe , Textiles and Furniture )
Elegant cabinets made of polished ebony, a black wood from Africa or India, were prized at the French court during the reign of King Louis XIII (1601-43) as works of art as well as places to keep precious possessions. The exterior of this one is carved with reliefs depicting moralizing scenes from Greek and Roman mythology.
In contrast, the playful interior is like a theater set replicating the intricate architecture of a grand residence. Alcoves and false vistas of Roman ruins create shifting perspectives complemented by the inlay pattern of the floor. In the "ceiling" painting, Icarus falls to his death, because the wax he used to attach the wings to his back melted when he flew too near the sun. The drawers are carved with everyday activities from each month in a farmer's year, beginning with January, represented by idle peasants carousing before a fire.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Baron de Boisseau, prior to 1876; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1998-2001 | Highlights from the Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1971-1972 | World of Wonder. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 6/15/1954 | Treatment | cleaned; repaired; coated |
| 5/3/1960 | Treatment | cleaned; loss compensation |
| 12/1/1964 | Treatment | repaired; loss compensation |
| 3/15/1988 | Treatment | repaired; cleaned |
| 4/8/1988 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 11/11/1988 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 11/15/1989 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 5/9/1993 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 5/25/1993 | Examination | examined for condiition |
| 1/1/1996 | Examination | examined for survey |
| 8/13/1996 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 10/1/2005 | Treatment | cleaned; coated; repaired; loss compensation |
| 8/2/2019 | Treatment | inpainted |
| 8/2/2019 | Treatment | Damages consolidated and inpainted |
Geographies
France (Place of Origin)
Measurements
75 9/16 x 69 5/16 in. (192 x 176 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
65.19