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The Defeat of Sennacherib
Peter Paul Rubens·1614
Historical Context
Rubens painted The Defeat of Sennacherib around 1614-15, depicting the Old Testament story of the Assyrian king whose army was destroyed by an angel of the Lord outside Jerusalem. The dramatic subject allowed Rubens to combine his love of dynamic battle scenes with supernatural intervention, creating an explosive composition of falling soldiers and terrified horses. The painting was part of a series of dramatic biblical narratives produced during his most productive years.
Technical Analysis
The composition erupts with violent energy as the angel sweeps through the Assyrian army, sending soldiers and horses tumbling in chaos. Rubens' dynamic brushwork and powerful anatomical modeling create a scene of overwhelming divine power.
Look Closer
- ◆The Assyrian army is annihilated by the angel of the Lord, soldiers tumbling from their horses in a chaotic rout
- ◆The destroying angel wields a flaming sword from above, the supernatural force overwhelming the mortal military might below
- ◆Fallen horses and soldiers create a tangle of bodies in the foreground, Rubens's mastery of complex figural arrangements fully evident
- ◆The Assyrian king Sennacherib watches helplessly as his invincible army is destroyed by divine intervention
Condition & Conservation
This Old Testament battle scene from 1614 has been conserved over the centuries. The canvas has been relined. The complex multi-figure composition with its dramatic lighting contrasts has been well-maintained. Some areas of the darker background have become more opaque.
