"Dawn" or "Dawn Chasing Away the Darkness of Night"

c. 1740

An oil on canvas mythological ceiling painting installed in the Drawing Room of The Elms entitled "Dawn" alternatively known as "Dawn Chasing Away the Darkness of Night" (Dutch, c. 1740) by Jacob de Witt (Dutch, 1695-1754). The lower right corner depicts Boreas and Aquilo being driven from the sky by Dawn with her torch, accompanied by Flora and the zephyrs, the gentle winds. Flora wears a long red dress with white drapery and carries flowing vines overhead while Dawn wears pink with blue drapery. Dawn's court of zephyrs wear variously bright colored clothing. All are set against a cloud-swept light blue sky with multiple putti, the borders of the canvas depict retreating grey clouds.

Dutch

oil on canvas, adhered with white lead

91.4 x 223.5 cm (36 x 88 inches)

Purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County, 1962.

PSNC.10554