Peter Paul RubensFlemish, 1577–1640Minerva Protects Pax from Mars
Can I see it?
Unknown
Where is “Minerva Protects Pax from Mars” now? Collection: The National Gallery, London. Unknown.
London, United Kingdom
The owner is known; whether it is on view today is not.
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Minerva protecting Peace from Mars or Peace and War is a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. He produced it in London between 1629 and 1630, during a diplomatic mission from the Spanish Netherlands to Charles I of England. It is now in the National Gallery, London.
It shows Minerva (goddess of war, wisdom and crafts) fighting off Mars, with the nude figure of the goddess Pax (commonly known as "Peace" in English) in the centre.
Details
- Accession number
- NG46
In the catalog
Sources
- Wikidata
- Image: The National Gallery — Peter Paul Rubens · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
In the life of Peter Paul Rubens
The whole life1627–1630
Diplomatic Missions between Spain and England
Rubens was active as a diplomat, shuttling between the courts of Spain and England in an effort to achieve peace between the Catholic Spanish Netherlands and the Protestant Dutch Republic; he also made several trips to Holland.
1628–1629
Eight Months in Madrid, Friendship with Velázquez
During an eight-month stay in Madrid, Rubens, in addition to diplomatic negotiations, executed important works for Philip IV, studied and copied Titian anew, and became friends with the court painter Diego Velázquez.
1629 – April 1630
Diplomatic Journey to London
After a brief stay in Antwerp, Rubens traveled to London, where he remained until April 1630, continuing the peace negotiations between Spain and England.
1630
Marriage to Helena Fourment
Four years after the death of Isabella Brant, the 53-year-old Rubens married the 16-year-old Helena Fourment; she became the artist's muse and the inspiration for the sensuous figures in many of his paintings of the 1630s, including The Three Graces and The Judgment of Paris.
1630
Knighted by Charles I
King Charles I of England knighted Rubens, adding a heraldic lion to his personal coat of arms; a few months later Philip IV confirmed his knightly status.
6 December 1630
Married: Helena Fourment
