Bilberries and Amaryllis

Long attributed to Gérard de Lairesse (1641-1711) this beautiful pastoral scene does not allow us to accurately identify its iconographic and autograph character. The theme, however, was identified not as Jupiter disguised as a nymph to seduce one of Diana's maids, but as an illustration of the thwarted love of Bilberry and Amaryllis (Act II, scene 1). The shepherd Myrtille disguised himself as a woman to approach the nymph Amaryllis with whom he fell in love. One of the nymphs offers all her companions a game of kisses. Amaryllis, having the most beautiful mouth, becomes the judge and the shepherd takes the opportunity to approach the beauty and participate in the game. He is declared the winner and so must receive a crown of flowers. As Amaryllis wants to crown him, he returns the gesture. It’s the moment of that kiss that the artist chose to depict.

Based on the texts by Sandrine Le Bideau in the catalogue Flemish and Dutch paintings—Collection of the Châteauroux museums (Peintures Flamande et Hollandaise—Collection des Musées de Châteauroux) Somogy-Editions d’Art