Perseo y Andrómeda

Rubens painted this around 1622, at the height of his powers and running a large, productive workshop in Antwerp. It takes the Greek myth at its calmest moment. Perseus has already killed the sea monster that was about to devour Andromeda, and instead of the fight we get the aftermath, the hero arriving to free the chained princess. Small winged putti do the practical work around them, one holding his shield with the Gorgon's reflection, one his helmet, another steadying the horse, while the defeated monster slumps below. The whole thing is built on Rubens's warm flesh tones and full, rounded figures, the kind of sensual mythology his Catholic and courtly patrons across Europe wanted. It later entered the Russian imperial collection and hangs in the Hermitage, in Saint Petersburg.