The Cumaean Sibyl with a Putto

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The Cumaean Sibyl is one of 12 pagan sibyls, or prophetesses, said to have foretold the coming of Christ. The Cumaean Sibyl, who takes her name from Cumae near Naples, predicted that Christ would be born to a virgin mother in a stable at Bethlehem. The inscription on the stone slab here refers to the wooden cross on which Christ was crucified. This is one of Guercino’s finest late works, imposing in composition, rich in colour and dignified in pose and gesture. The painting was commissioned in 1651 by Gioseffo Locatelli of Cesena as a companion to Guercino’s King David, now in a private collection. Before it could be sent to Locatelli, it was seen in Guercino’s studio by Prince Mattias de' Medici, who convinced the artist to sell it to him instead.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Cumaean Sibyl with a Putto

Date

1651

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 222 x W 168.5 cm

Accession number

NG6615

Acquisition method

Bought, 2011

Work type

Painting

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