The Finding of Erichthonius
Peter Paul Rubens·1633
Historical Context
Rubens painted The Finding of Erichthonius around 1632-33, depicting the mythological scene where the daughters of Cecrops discover the infant Erichthonius, offspring of Hephaestus and Gaia, hidden in a basket guarded by serpents. Rubens treated this subject multiple times, attracted by its combination of female beauty, horror, and mythological narrative. The painting's loose, flowing technique and warm palette characterize Rubens's mature late style. Now in the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College, the painting represents a significant Rubens work in an American university collection.
Technical Analysis
The composition groups three female nudes around the discovered infant, their varied poses creating a dynamic yet balanced arrangement. Rubens' warm, luminous flesh painting and fluid brushwork demonstrate his late style at its most sensuous.
Look Closer
- ◆The daughters of Cecrops open the forbidden basket to discover the infant Erichthonius with serpent legs — their expressions of shock and fascination are individually characterized
- ◆Rubens renders the women's luminous flesh with his signature pearlescent technique, creating a sensuous counterpoint to the monstrous revelation
- ◆The serpentine lower body of Erichthonius is painted with convincing anatomical transition from human infant to snake
- ◆A crone figure at the edge represents Aglauros, who will be punished by Athena for her disobedience
Condition & Conservation
This late mythological painting from 1633 shows Rubens's mature technique at its most fluid. The painting has been conserved with attention to the subtle glazes that create the luminous flesh tones. The canvas is in stable condition after relining.
