Description
The painting Tereus Confronted with the Head of his Son Itylus by Peter Paul Rubens is an impressive work that shows the tragic story of Tereus, the king of Thrace, who fell in love with his sister-in-law Philomela and raped her. To hide his crime, Tereo cut out Philomela's tongue and locked her in a room. However, Philomela managed to communicate with her sister Progne through a woven cloth, and together they planned their revenge.
In the painting, Rubens represents the moment when Tereo discovers that he has eaten his own son Itylus, who was killed by Progne and Philomela as part of their revenge. The composition is dramatic and dynamic, with Tereo at the center of the scene, clutching his son's head in horror and despair. Around him, the secondary characters also express their emotions, from sadness to anger.
Rubens' artistic style is characterized by his use of chiaroscuro and the sfumato technique, which allows him to create a sense of depth and volume in the figures. Also, his ability to render the texture of materials, such as skin, hair, and clothing, is impressive.
As for color, Rubens uses a rich and vibrant palette, with warm and cool tones contrasting with each other. Reds, oranges and yellows predominate in the painting, creating a feeling of warmth and emotional tension.
An interesting and little known aspect of this painting is that it was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Barberini, nephew of Pope Urban VIII, to decorate the hall of his palace in Rome. The painting was part of a set of four works depicting different episodes in the story of Tereus and Philomela, and it was on public display in the city for several years.
In short, Tereus Confronted with the Head of his Son Itylus is a masterpiece by Peter Paul Rubens that combines a tragic story with impressive art style and technique. The painting's composition, color, and emotional depth make it a work of art that continues to captivate viewers to this day.