On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02040
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Apollo and the Python
- Chronology
- Ca. 1636
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 26,9 cm x 42,3 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- DONACION
- Procedence
- Donation Dutchess Widow of Pastrana, 1889
Apollo fights the terrible Python
to free beautiful Andromeda, who
was destined to be one of the
victims of this monster. She is
sketched in behind the beast. In
the air, Cupid shoots his arrows
into the God, alluding to the love
arising between Apollo and
Andromeda, as told by Ovid in his
Metamorphosis.
This sketch was made as part of the
projected decoration of the Torre
de la Parada and was used by
Cornelis de Vos as the basis for a
painting on the same subject. It
displays Rubens skill at generating
the same sensuality and poetic
character in these small panels as
in his large-format mythological
works.
Location on the map
