Leda and the Swan – F. LANFANT de METZ (1814-1892)

Zeus took the appearance of a swan to seduce Leda (wife of Tyndare, king of Sparta) by night, according to Homer. From her love with the god, she conceived two children (Helen and Pollux) who were born in an egg. Painter of history and genre, he was born in 1814, and died in 1892 in Le Havre. He called himself from Metz, a city more famous than his home town. He arrived very early in Paris and joined the workshop of Ary Scheffer. He left for Switzerland and Italy and joined a troop of travelling actors, a childhood dream that came to an end. We find him in Paris, where from 1843, and until 1866, he exhibits at the Salon (1847: Gold Medal with “The Bride of the Village”). From 1868, he radically changed his style, painting only small size paintings representing scenes of a careless and mischievous childhood. Our painting therefore dates from before this date. Bibl.: “Peintres et graveurs Lorrains”, Harcos Very good condition. The painting has been cleaned. Nice frame of the period. 31×36 with frame.