Spanish school; first half of the 17th century.

Spanish school; first half of the XVII century.
"European Sibyl".
Oil on canvas. Relined anitique.
It has a period frame.
Measurements: 116 x 97.5 cm; 134 x 115 cm (frame).
The European sibyl is one of the twelve mythological prophetesses. In this particular case the scene is far from the usual representation of the theme, since in the lower area two griffins hold the legend that reads "He will be circumcised as God commands", while the protagonist rests one of her hands on a picture in which the religious representation of the circumcision of Jesus Child can be appreciated. With the other hand, the young woman points to the sky and looks upwards, thus confirming her mystical relevance between the earthly and divine worlds.
Since the Renaissance, the representation of Sibyls in compositions similar to those of the contemporary portrait, as ladies richly attired in the fashion of the time. In fact, there are known examples of works in which important aristocrats are portrayed as sibyls, both in Italy and in other countries. In this painting from the Baroque period, it is worth noting the attention paid to the depiction of the sumptuous attire. The almond-shaped eyes convey melancholy. The flush of the cheeks harmonizes with the carmine of the beautifully outlined lips.
In ancient Greek mythology, the Sibyl was a prophetess, sometimes inspired by Apollo and whose powers had a divine origin. However, the number of these women soon increased from three to twelve, in all cases without knowing their names, but knowing them only by the name of the place where they lived. It was the Renaissance who recovered this figure, considering them heralds of Christ in the pagan tradition in order to give value to it and "Christianize" it. Of all the works in which they appear, the best known is probably Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel Vault, which shows the five most representative of the time (Eritrea, Persian, Libyan, Cuman and Delphic).