Apollo and two Muses

Allegorical paintings by Master Batoni: 'Apollo and Two Muses' and 'Allegory of Architecture, Painting and Sculpture', both studio replicas, occupied a relevant position in the Wilanów collections. Emphasis was placed on their high artistic quality and, as a rule, the canvases were displayed together. Batoni’s original works, today in private collections in Turin, were executed for Francesco Conti of Lucca, one of the painter’s patrons. First, the artist executed 'Allegory…' (prior to 8 May 1740) and completed 'Apollo and two Muses' in January 1741. From the very onset, the two compositions had numerous enthusiasts and were copied upon numerous occasions, while copies executed in the Batoni atelier were treated as the painter’s original works. They are to be found in assorted European collections, i.a. the Louvre.