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Triumph of Galatea: ceramic plate by Wenceslau Cifke (1811-1884)

The scene is of the apotheosis (divination) of Galatea, seated on dolphins in the centre.

 

In ancient Greek and Roman literature ( e.g. Homer, Ovid ), Galatea was a sea nymph pursued in love by the Cyclops Polyphemus, but she preferred Acis, a river-nymph. Polyphemus attacked Acis with a rock, but Galatea saved him and he was turned into a river by the gods, the RIver Acis in Sicily.

 

Reflected light at right of photo..

Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

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Uploaded on May 26, 2018
Taken on March 15, 2018