Who painted Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods"?

Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods" was painted by Auguste Renoir in 1861.

Where can I see Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods"?

Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods" is held by National Museum of Western Art.

What movement is Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods"?

Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods" is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods"

Auguste Renoir , 1861

Copy after the Painting by Rubens "The Council of Gods" is an oil painting by the Realist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.

About this work

Overview

Pierre‑Auguste Renoir produced an oil work in 1861 that directly copies Peter Paul Rubens’s composition titled “The Council of Gods.” The piece is part of the collection of the National Museum of Western Art and presents a mythological gathering rendered in a subdued palette.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a congregation of deities set against a cloud‑filled sky. Figures are arranged in various poses—some seated, others standing or hovering—and are largely unclothed, with a few draped in light garments. A youthful, haloed figure wrapped in a red sash occupies the central focus, drawing the attention of the surrounding gods and goddesses.

Technique & Style

Renoir follows Rubens’s baroque dynamism, employing a limited range of blues, browns, and yellows to create atmospheric depth. The brushwork mirrors the original’s fluidity, while the composition retains the formal balance characteristic of classical mythological painting.

History & Provenance

Created as a study after Rubens’s original, the copy entered the National Museum of Western Art’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s early academic period, reflecting his engagement with the masters of the past.