Pan and Syrinx (oil on panel)

Pan and Syrinx, attributed to Dirck van der Lisse (fl.c.1635 - d.1669) - a follower of Cornelis van Polenburgh. It depicts the classical mythological subject of Pan and Syrinx, a landscape with man pursuing a woman in lower left corner, pollarded tree upper right. The painting shows the Greek god, Pan amorously pursuing the Arcadian nymph, Syrinx to banks of the River Ladon. To avoid Pan, Syrinx prays to the river-god, Ladon, to be transformed into a bushel of reeds, which are growing profusely on the banks of the river. Pan was so pleased with sound of the wind rustling in the reeds that he cut some off and made a set of pipes, which he named after the nymph.The Dutch painter and draughtsman, Dirk Van Der Lisse, studied under Cornelius Poelenburgh and specialised in painting Italianate landscapes.