(Antwerp 1593–1678)
A mythological figure, possibly Zephyr, God of the West Wind,
oil on paper, laid down on panel, 43.5 x 31.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private collection, Germany;
sale, Dorotheum, Vienna, 16 October 2007, lot 5 (as attributed to Jacob Jordaens);
art market, Belgium;
where acquired by the present owner

The present painting depicts a male figure with billowing hair, a strong focused gaze, enclosed in a bed of clouds, pursing his lips to produce a stream of air. The figure could possibly be identified as one of the four Anemoi, sometimes referred to as the four wind Gods. In Greek mythology, the marriage between the god Astraeus, and the goddess of dawn, Eos, was known to have produced the four Anemoi: Boreas, god of the North Wind; Eurus, god of the East Wind; Notus, god of the South Wind; and Zephyr, god of the West Wind. Since the personification in the present painting is blowing towards the left, in a westerly direction, he can therefore presumably be identified as Zephyr. This wind God is often depicted as a handsome young man, sometimes winged, with soft, flowing hair, embodying the essence of the gentle wind he represents, as is seen in the present painting.