Keywords: Pierre Courteys - Oval Dish with River God and the Wedding Feast of Psyche - Walters 44286 - Reverse.jpg The elegance and virtuosity of Pierre Courteys who signed and dated this oval dish comes out in the deceptively simple composition on the underside The reclining river god is based on an engraving by the influential Italian engraver Marcantonio Raimondi ca 1475-ca 1534 after a design by Raphael This is combined with scrolling framing elements and strapwork borders that have a sculptural quality This style of ornament responds to the fashion for similar three-dimensional framing elements for wall paintings popularized in the decorations of the palace of the French king Francis I reigned 1515-46 at Fontainebleau Designers associated with the court produced engravings with fanciful models intended for craftsmen whose expertise lay in their handling of materials rather than in compositional invention 1554 Renaissance technique painted enamel copper cm 57 44 5 accession number 44 286 30778 Beurdeley Collection date and mode of acquisition unknown Sale Paris April 9-10 1883 lot 97 Bourgeois frères date and mode of acquisition unknown Baron Oppenheim date and mode of acquisition unknown J Pierpont Morgan New York date and mode of acquisition unknown no 860 Arnold Seligmann Rey Co New York date and mode of acquisition unknown Henry Walters city Baltimore Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1917 Exposition Universelle Paris 1900 place of origin Limoges France Walters Art Museum license Limoges painted enamels in the Walters Art Museum Pierre Courteys Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Painted enamel art in the Walters Art Museum Scroll ornaments |