Lot 178: The Triumph of Amphitrite

Jean-Jacques-François Monanteuil (FRENCH, 1785-1860)
The Triumph of Amphitrite
signed and dated 'Monanteuil 1885' (lower left)
oil on canvas, unframed
52¼ x 68¼ in. (152.5 x 173.3 cm.)

In ancient Greek mythology, Amphitrite was a sea-goddess. When the sea god Poseidon wanted her as his bride, she declined the honor and hid from him in the depths of the ocean. She was found by a dolphin and was brought back to Poseidon who married her. According to tradition apart from Triton, her other offspring include seals and dolphins. In the present work she is shown as the personification of the sea itself, sitting on a chariot pulled by sea creatures surrounded by jubilant sea nymphs, and putti.