Guido Reni’s original painting of Aurora was painted in 1613 for the Casino Rospigliose in Rome. A highly popular subject for 19th century visitors on the Grand Tour, the picture was frequently copied, but usually on a much smaller scale Our painting, which measures slightly over 3’ x 6’ is the largest I have ever seen, and might originally have been intended for a museum or library. The subject is purely pagan as the beautifully handsome god Apollo with more than a sufficient number of female consorts pursues the unobtainable Aurora. The painting does not come with a frame.