Oil on Canvas - Iris, After Guy Head

Oil on Canvas - Iris, After Guy Head
About the Painting:
Iris Carrying the Water of the River Styx to Olympus for the Gods to Swear By
In Greek mythology, Iris was the personification of the rainbow and the messenger of the gods. Here, she is shown in the Underworld, floating over the River Styx holding a golden jar that Zeus, the king of the gods, had instructed her to fill with river water and carry back to Mount Olympus. Zeus used the sacred water in a ritual designed to secure oaths of obedience from other gods and goddesses. This is a rare example of strict Neoclassicism in British painting, and the profile pose and transparent drapery are inspired by classical models, including ancient Greek and Roman vases.
About the Original Artist: Guy Head
1760–1800
Birth 6 JUN 1760 • Carlisle, Cumberland, England
Death 16 DEC 1800 • Westminster, London, England
Guy Head was the son of a house-painter at Carlisle. He learned how to draw under Captain John Bernard Gilpin, and eventually entered as a student at the Royal Academy. His work was noticed by Sir Joshua Reynolds. In 1779 he exhibited a portrait of a gentleman at the Royal Academy, and another in 1780. In the latter year he also sent to the exhibition of the Society of Artists at Spring Gardens a painting of The Fire at London Bridge Waterworks and two portraits. In 1781 he sent to the Royal Academy a landscape with the story of Europa, and a portrait of Henderson the actor as Richard III.
With the help of a friend and introductions from Reynolds, Head went to Italy, and resided for some years at Rome. He was a skilful copyist, and his copies of the works of Correggio, Titian, and others were much commended. Some large copies of Rubens's pictures at Antwerp are in the Royal Academy. He also painted, besides portraits, classical subjects of a decorative nature.
At the Revolutionary outbreak in 1798 he returned to England, with a large collection of drawings, copies, and other pieces, which he intended to exhibit, but died suddenly in London on 16 December 1800. His works were sold by auction in 1805. Two pictures of Echo and Iris were engraved after him by J. Folo in 1814, and a horse's head by C. Turner.
About the Frame Company:
Frame By: Geo Ryneal JR. Artists & Painters Supplies, Washington, DC
RYNEAL, George of Martinsburg was on the Republican ticket for legislature; I.W. WOOD of Hedgesville (it didn’t say what office, perhaps also legislature?); D.P. LeMASTER of Falling Waters for county court; and Willis EVANS of Gerrardstown for superintendent of schools, all for Berkeley County. The resolutions strongly endorsed the national and state administrations, the new tax laws and the candidacy of U.S. Senator Stephen B. ELKINS for reelection and condemned the Democratic court for extravagance and mismanagement. John HETZEL of Martinsburg gave a “vigorous speech” attacking the senator claiming he was unfair and oppressive to the working men — Washington Post 14 Oct 1906.
RYNEAL, George Jr., 82, one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Martinsburg, West Virginia died at his home there yesterday afternoon following a long illness. He conducted an art supply store in Washington, D.C. for many years and inamassed a fortune out of this business.in He was inthe father of the present Martinsburg fire departmentin and was the owner of Honeywood farm in Berkeley County, one of the most valuable estates in that area of West Virginia. He was unmarried and his fortune will go to several nieces and nephews — Washington Post 1 Dec 1917. (1835-1917)
Oil/canvas measures 17in x 20in
Framed 27in x 30in

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