On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01851
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish), Snyders, Frans (Flemish)
- Title
- Philopomenes Recognized
- Chronology
- 1609-1610
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 201 cm x 311 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
According to Plutarch,
Philopomenes, a strategist and
general of the Aequian League that
fought against Sparta, visited the
city of Megara. Because of his
unassuming, humble appearance, the
lady of the house confused him with
a servant and put him to work. The
present scene depicts the moment
when the husband realizes the
general's true identity, under
whose modest appearance is hidden
the grandeur of his
personality.
Painted right after Rubens returned
from Italy, this work reveals the
artist's profound knowledge of
classical culture. Its formal
aspects, forceful figures and
almost tenebrist treatment of light
also bear witness to his southern
influence.
The idea carried out by these two
artists together in the same work
marked the beginning of a fruitful
collaboration between Rubens and
Snyders. Such collaborations were
actually quite frequent among
Flemish artists. Rubens made the
figures while the large still life
in the foreground is by Snyders,
who shows the same taste for detain
in his depiction of some of the
animals he would repeat throughout
his career, such as turkeys and
swans.
This work is first listed in Spain
in 1660, when it hung in Madrid's
Alcázar Palace.
Location on the map
