#40455 Donato Creti

The composition presents a dramatic scene unfolding within a densely wooded landscape. A palpable sense of urgency and emotional turmoil permeates the work. Here we see four figures arranged in a dynamic interplay of movement and gesture. To the right, a male figure, powerfully built and bare-chested, rides a white goat, his posture suggesting both haste and determination. He is actively engaged with two female figures positioned centrally within the frame.
One woman, draped in flowing blue and purple garments, extends her arm towards him in what appears to be an attempt at restraint or supplication. The second woman, clad in a golden robe, holds a small infant, her gaze fixed on the approaching man. Her stance conveys a mixture of protectiveness and apprehension.
To the left, a fourth figure lies prostrate upon a rocky outcrop, her face buried within her hands. This posture communicates profound grief or despair, creating a stark contrast to the activity occurring in the center of the scene. The lighting emphasizes this emotional divide; the central figures are illuminated by a soft glow, while the woman on the rocks remains shrouded in shadow.
The background is characterized by a dark and atmospheric forest, populated with additional figures partially obscured by foliage. A cherubic figure floats above the trees, seemingly observing the unfolding drama from a celestial vantage point. The artist employed a muted color palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, greens, and golds – which contributes to the overall sense of solemnity and classical gravitas.
Subtly embedded within this narrative are themes of familial obligation, divine intervention, and perhaps, abandonment or rejection. The infant held by one woman suggests a lineage or inheritance at stake, while the man on the goat’s presence implies an external force influencing events. The prostrate figures posture introduces a layer of personal tragedy, hinting at loss or regret. The overall effect is that of a mythological episode, rich in symbolism and open to multiple interpretations regarding its precise meaning.