On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02042
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Promethius
- Chronology
- Ca. 1636
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 25,5 cm x 16,2 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- DONACION
- Procedence
- Donation Dutchess Widow of Pastrana, 1889
The mythological hero, Promethius,
was Jupiter's son. He defied the
gods by stealing fire from them and
giving it to Humanity in order to
improve their life on Earth. This
story told by Hesiod in his Thogony
is depicted in Ruben's sketch.
Here, the artist captures the
moment when, fleeing from heavenly
Olympus, Promethius looks back.
Behind him, the ire of the gods is
insinuated by the sunbeams that
shine through the clouds, later
producing the terrible punishment
the protagonist is to suffer.
Rubens made this panel as a sketch
for one of the paintings for the
Torre de la Parada, which was
executed by Jan Cossiers.
Location on the map
