'Damon and Phillida Reconciled: A Scene from Colley Cibber's 'Damon and Phillida'', William Jones

Artwork details

Artist

William Jones (active 1738‑1749)

Title

Damon and Phillida Reconciled: A Scene from Colley Cibber's 'Damon and Phillida'

Date 1740

MediumOil paint on canvas

Dimensionssupport: 635 x 762 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Purchased 1980

Reference

T03111

Not on display

Summary

Phillida Rejecting Mopsus and Cimon: A Scene from Colley Cibber's 'Damon and Phillida' Damon and Phillida Reconciled: A Scene from Colley Cibber's 'Damon and Phillida'

1740
T03111

This is the first of two pendant pictures illustrating scenes from a one-act opera Damon and Phillida by Colley Cibber (1671-1757) (see Tate T03112), first performed in 1729. In the opera, the handsome shepherd Damon courts Phillida, a shepherdess. However, Damon's inconstancy exposes her to the unwelcome attentions of two boorish shepherds, Mopsus and Cimon. Fortunately, she unexpectedly receives a dowry, enabling her to escape their clutches and accept the prodigal Damon. In the first scene, illustrated here, Phillida rejects the advances of the kneeling Mopsus; in the second scene she is reconciled with Damon, while in the background Cimon and Mopsus vent their frustration… (read more)