Self-Portrait as Daifilo

A popular pastoral play served as the basis for these pendant portraits, on which the artist depicted himself and his wife in the roles of the shepherd Daifilo and the princess Granida. The play deals with the love between the two figures, who despite differences in class are finally allowed to marry - an ideal theme for the depiction of a married couple who knows they are united by the power of love. As a self portrait of the artist it simultaneously alludes to the topos that love is supposed to inspire art.