Peter Paul Rubens Roman and Greek Paintings Part 2

 Peter Paul Rubens Roman and Greek Paintings Part 2

Today, I am going to blog about Rubens. I do art blogs for the fun of it. The first painting is actually a tapestry of Thetis dipping Achilles into the river Styx. In the last Rubens blog, I showed you the painting. This is the finished version. Really pretty if you ask me. It is truly 5 star worthy.

The next painting is called "Abduction of Hippodamia Granger".  Other than the name, I really do not know the story of this maiden. From what I can tell of this painting, the girl was kidnapped at a dinner party. She is reaching out for her lover boy. His lover does not see the dagger about to stab him in the back. The abduction has just occurred. The things are all turned over. It is really quite the dramatic scene. This lovely dynamic baroque painting deserves 5 star worthy.

The next painting is called "Achilles Recognized Among the Daughters of Lycomedes" . When Thetis heard of the Trojan war, she sent Achilles to hide from the draft with the daughters of Lycomedes. She had him dress up like a girl. Odysseus and some other guy went to discover him. He had an old woman leave some warrior arms. Achilles curious tries on the helmet. This discovers his manly identity to Odysseus. Achilles just could not help putting on the pretty helmet. The girls are shocked at recognizing his manly prowess. They are shocked and distraught. Odysseus and his pal are whispering.

This painting too is from the series, The Life of Achilles. We see a repetition of the swirl columns in the background.The maiden in white has Achilles baby. The corner statues are Tragedy (with the Red Mask) and Perseus (with the Medusa head on his shield).  They allude to the tragic demise that awaits Achilles should he got to the Trojan War. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star painting.

The next painting is called "Bacchanale". Bacchanale where party hosted by Bacchus. Here we see several Faun people having the time of their life. They are painted fat to show their over indulgence in food and wine. Among them there is a black servant bringing in more wine. The scenery takes place in the forest. There is two memorable groups you should notice. In the far left, we see a mama faun with two baby fauns. Her bulkiness shows that she is with child. On the left, we see a pair of lover Fauns. The blonde wife is looking at the viewer shyly. She is the only one who notices the viewers. In any case, Peter Paul Rubens deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called "Bacchus". Bacchus is the fat guy in the center of the painting. A blonde maiden is pouring wine. It is overflowing and a lil kid is drinking the spill. Another random kid is releasing himself on top of a cat. Behind Bacchus we see a faun drinking wine. The scenery is in the middle of the forest. This painting is nothing too far out there. During the baroque period, ambiguity was thrown out the window. Anyone who sees this will be able to recognize Bacchus. Truly, this ode to debauchery and drink deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called Earth and Water. The guy in Water , with a seashell is Oceanus. He is the Titan of Water. Around him we see some cute nymph children. Earth or Gaea is the maiden with fruits and vegetables. She is being crowned by Nike. The one holding the hand of Gaea is Poseidon. You can recognize his trident. The overflowing basin creates a barrier between Earth and Water. This is where both meet, at the beach. It is pretty neat. Well, Earth and Water are lovers. Truly, Rubens painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called "Aeneas and his family departing from Troy". This is from the Aeneid by Virgil. Aeneas is carrying his old father. The boy in red is his baby boy. Among them we see the rest of the Trojans. It is interesting that the maiden in red sticks out. She is at the center of the painting and your eye is drawn to her. Behind Aeneas and his family we see the burning Troy. Behind the maiden in Red we see a temple. The ships looks European enough. In any case, Rubens gets 5 star rating.

The next painting is called " Agamemnon returning Achilles his slave". In the Iliad, Agamemnon took Achilles's slave because he had to return his. This caused the curse of Thetis to ensue. While Achilles was not fighting the Greeks lost. In this scene, they return the maiden. This was after Patroclus died in battle. We can see his corpse inside the tent. Agamemnon is returning her in one piece. He also brought gifts for goodwill purposes. Achilles did not notice the gifts being place at his feet. All he cares is that they returned his little lady. I think Agamemnon is the guy pointing to the sky. The old geezer is probably Antenor. He was one of the old generals of the Greek army. Agamemnon decided to yield when the Trojans started to burn their ships. In any case, this lovely Rubens painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is Called "Alexander and Roxana".  Alexander the Great is the man in armor. Alexander is asking Rozana to be his queen. He is giving her a crown. Around them we see a lot of allegorical decorations. Behind Alexander, we see fame with a torch. Cupid is putting on the sandals of Roxana. Overall, it is a pretty painting. Truly, Rubens gets another 5 stars.

The next painting is called "The Allegory of Eternity". In the center of the painting, we see an old woman. At her feet, we see some children. They are holding up a string of roses. Each part of the rope has the rose at a certain state of its life. Above, we see Eternity with her symbol. A snake biting its tail. She is receiving the end of the line of the old woman. Well, that is Eternity in a nutshell. At the end of the line, we reach eternity. Truly, this lovely allegorical painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called "Allegory of sight". Many of the paintings we see where made by Rubens in the real world. This might even stand for his studio. We see here many different sights. Among them a dog and the vanishing point of the city. Thus, we have interior sight and out scenery as far as the eyes can see. It is really quite the lovely painting. Another 5 stars for this wonderful allegory.

The next painting is the allegory of the blessings of peace. Peace is the maiden in red feeding her baby. Behind her Mars and Hermes are shooing away war and strife. At the end of their battles, they have created the peace that follows after war. On the right, one maiden is bringing music. Another brings gold. A faun is bringing food. The maidens on the right bring cupid. Basically, peace brings love,wealth, food, prosperity and fertility. I think that is all there is to mention. Peter Paul Rubens deserves 5 star rating. Oh, and peace looks like that Peace relief from the Ara Pacis.

The next painting is a sketch shows Psyche and Cupid. 5 stars.

The next painting shows Andromeda in tears. She is about to be Sacrificed to the Kraken. A winged boy with a flame has released her. He points to Perseus. She sees that her salvation is at hand. On the background, we can half see Perseus riding Pegasus. The background is a bit smoky and messy. Overall, the painting is really pretty full of drama and emotion. Her curly hair looks quite realistic. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called The Battle of the Amazons. This is from Virgil's Aeneid. Basically, Aeneas's army is fighting the Amazons. This is quite the dramatic battle because it shows armed men beating on women. The scene is taking place in the bridge. On the bridge, there is conflict.  There is a lot to look at in this painting. The general of the Amazons is Camilla. She was adopted by Artemis. One day her father was escaping some bad guys. He was carrying baby Camilla. He wrapped her around his spear and threw her across the river. He then led the evil guys away from his girl. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called "Boreas abducting Orithyia". Boreas is the old guy with wings. He is the northern winter winds. Those blonde angels are throwing snow balls. Those blonde kids look really cute. The blonde kids and the maiden contrast well with the old geezer. Well, it is not too uncommon in Greek mythology that old Gods kidnapped pretty girls. Anyhow, this odd couple deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called "Cimon and Pero".  This is an example of Roman charity. The story goes that Cimon was sentenced to die of starvation. His daughter visited him in the prison. When the guards where not looking she would breastfeed her father. This was the only way she found to bring food to her old father.  In this painting, the guards have just seen her outside the window. She is looking at them and asking them to ignore her. They where moved by the sight of her charity. This event moved the officials into releasing Cimon. The purpose of this painting is to inspire Catholic charity. Truly, this lovely painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called " Cupid and Psyche". Psyche has just discovered Cupid's identity. The only source of light is the oil lamp. Psyche is looking at the cute sleeping Cupid. A servant , alarmed, is pulling back the curtain for her mistress. It is really a lovely painting. Both exemplified both the feminine and masculine beauty. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating. 

The next painting shows Cupid making his bow. He is looking back at the viewer. His Red Cape and wings looks really cute. He really looks solid, realistic even. I love his golden curls. Before him , two blonde cherubs are kissing. This painting is really cute. Anyhow, this painting deserves 5 star rating. I think that is all for now. Have a nice day chibis.