Diana and Acteon

Fan with painted ivory sticks, the guards piqué with silver and clouté with mother of pearl plaques and a metal coronet at the top.

The single vellum leaf is painted on the recto with an episode of the myth of Diana and Acteon. While the goddess Diana is bathing in the forest, she is approached by Acteon. Startled, she douses him with water at which point he transmorphs into a deer before being killed by his dogs, unable to recognise him.

The painting and composition is reminiscent of the work of Paolo de Matteis.

The verso is painted with a bouquet of flowers, the ribs highlighted in a zig-zag line.

de Matteis, Paolo (Italian, 1662 - 1728)
Painter working for the French Court in Paris between 1702 and 1705.