French school, after Jean-Baptiste Peytavin (1768-1855): Metabus and Camilla, oil on canvas, 19th C.

Work: 51,2 x 42,8 cm

Frame: 69,3 x 61 cm

The composition is identical to the work of Jean-Baptiste Peytavin (1808, link). The painting depicts an incident from Virgil's Aeniad. Driven from his throne, Metabus and his infant daughter Camilla were chased into the wilderness by armed Volsci. When the river Amasenus blocked his path, he bound her to a spear and promised Diana that Camilla would be her servant if she would safely arrive on the opposite bank. He then threw her to the other side, and swam across to retrieve her.