Artwork
The Persecution of the Harpies
The Persecution of the Harpies is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
The Persecution of the Harpies is a 1636 oil painting by Peter Paul Rubens, a Flemish artist known for his dynamic and dramatic works.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a chaotic aerial struggle involving a woman entangled in fabric and being attacked by shadowy, bird-like creatures with sharp claws, likely representing harpies from mythology.
Technique & Style
Executed in a Flemish Baroque style, the work features rich, muted colors with touches of gold, and a dynamic composition that conveys a sense of intense struggle.
History & Provenance
Created in 1636, The Persecution of the Harpies is now part of the Museo del Prado's collection, aligning with Rubens's other history paintings of mythological subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch: ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.
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