FURINI, Francesco
(b. 1600, Firenze, d. 1646, Firenze)

Hylas and the Nymphs

c. 1635
Oil on canvas, 230 x 261 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Furini was much appreciated for his poetic application of Leonardo's sfumato to the representation of shapely nudes. The episode, a tragic one, is related in classical fashion: Hylas was Hercules's beloved armor-bearer on the adventure of the Golden Fleece. Attracted by his beauty, a water nymph pulled him under the waves and he was seen no more.