Mythological scene, French school, early 17th century

Oil on walnut panel, probably illustrating an episode from Ovid's Metamorphoses: -Either the Hesperides transformed into night birds by Bacchus -Or, more likely, the Sirens who, once transformed with birds' wings and very proud of their voices, wanted to rival the Muses. The Muses, offended, plucked them and made crowns from their remains. The nine Muses can be seen on the right of the painting, and Zeus, Hermes, and Hercules in the heavens at the top left of the painting. High quality of execution, astonishing freshness of colors. French school, circa 1630.