CHRISTIAEN VAN COUWENBERGH (DELFT 1604-1667 COLOGNE)

The subject of this painting derives from an acclaimed pastoral play, Granida, published in 1615 by the prolific Dutch playwright P.C. Hooft. The story relays how Granida, the daughter of the King of Persia, comes upon Daifilo, a shepherd, and Dorelia, a shepherdess, asking where she can find water to quench her thirst. The two fall in love and the performance climaxes in the couple's marriage. The subject was popular among a broad spectrum of artists, including Jacob Backer, Nicolaes Berchem, Gerrit van Honthorst, and Dirck van Baburen. The work of these last two artists proved particularly impactful on Couwenbergh, who encountered their paintings during a stay in Utrecht from 1622-24.