During his employment with the Duke of Mantua, Vincenzo of Gonzaga, Rubens
traveled to Spain. 1620-1627 was a time of the Flemish High Baroque. Rubens had great powers of artistic adaptation throughout the various years of his life. He had a huge impact on the Flemish tapestry industry. From about 1620, he was responsible for the decisive influence painters had on tapestry making, the tapestry being judged in terms of the reputation of the designing artist, drawing tapestry closer to painting. In fact, it was believed that tapestry was a link to integrated living...it was more than just covering for a wall, the illusion of a whole room, with furnishings, could be depicted. 1628-1640 was Rubenss final period. THE SUBJECT The mother of Achilles, Thetis, a sea nymph, knew the prophecy about her son, he will end his days in the first flowering of his youth. At her marriage to Peleus, the goddess Eros or Discord, was not invited. Great enmity arose and when Achilles was born, his life was in danger. In her efforts to prevent his death, various ruses were used to preserve his life. Thetis is plunging her son, headfirst, into the River Styx, which separates life from death. Achilles will thus be given everlasting life. Thetis is holding him by his foot and ankle, and a part of his body is thereby not immersed in the water. This sequence of events is not written about in Homers tales, however, although it was/is widely accepted. Late in the Trojan war, there is a truce and effort to make peace, Achilles is trying to form a marriage contract with Polyxena, one of the daughters of the Trojan king, Priam. Paris, the same one who was instrumental in starting the Trojan War is able to shoot Achilles with a poisoned arrow, (with the divine guidance of the god, Apollo) through the foot and ankle, thereby causing his death.
|