Recently,
an active member at Hour 25 suggested I do a quiz based on some of Rubens' works
at the Prado. The Prado kindly allows
reproduction of their works for scholarly discussion. (I hope my readers will kindly consider this
an scholarly offering.) Here we go.
Prado #P01658 Rubens The Abuction of Hippodamia 1636
- 1637 "At another marriage, when Pirithous was taking Hippodamia, daughter of
Adrastus, Centauri, full of wine, attempted to carry off the wives of the
Lapithae. The Centauri killed many of them, but by them perished." Pseudo-Hyginus,
Fabulae 33 :
Prado #P01693 Rubens The Abduction of Europa 1628– 1629 “Telephassa,
(bore) a daughter Europa and three sons…Zeus loved (Europa) and turning himself
into a tame bull, he mounted her on his back and conveyed her through the sea
to Crete. There Zeus bedded with her, and she bore” (three sons) Apollodorus, The Library 3.1.1
Prado #P01679. Rubens. The
Abduction of Ganymede. 1636 – 1638
"Tros, who
was lord of the Trojans, and to Tros in turn there were born three sons unfaulted,
Ilus and Assaracus and godlike Ganymedes who was the loveliest born of the race
of mortals, and therefore the gods caught him away to themselves, to be Zeus'
wine-pourer, for the sake of his beauty, so he might be among the
immortals." Homer, Iliad 20. 232
Prado# P01659. Rubens, The Abduction of Persephone 1636
– 1637,"[Demeter's]
trim-ankled daughter whom Hades rapt away, given to him by all-seeing Zeus the
loud-thunderer. Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and glorious
fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Oceanus (Athena,
Artemis) and gathering flowers over a soft meadow,” Homeric
Hymn 2 to Demeter
So there are four of Rubens’ masterpieces and the words that inspired
them. Now here is the quiz. Good luck!
testmoz.com/661115
