Flesh - Destruction
Saturn Devouring his son (1819-1823)
Artist: Francisco Goya
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Medium: Oil mural transferred to canvas
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Description: King Saturn grotesquely eating his own son, inspired by a Greek myth.
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Interpretation: King Saturn had killed his own son due to fear of being overthrown by them. He was unsure of whether the prophecy was true but yet chose to kill all of his sons in order to assure continuity of his reign. This highlights on the destructive natures of one where many, in the past were willing to get hold of what they had hoped for even if it meant that they had to use violent means because they were used to bloodshed.
Révolte du Caire - (1810)
Artist: Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy Trioson
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Medium: Oil and ink on paper, laid down on canvas
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Description: A scene of the French soldiers attacking the Egyptians
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Interpretation: Once again, bloodshed and war was uncommon in the past and people were willing to destroy anything including one another in order to attain what they want.
Consequences of War - (1638-1639)
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
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Medium:Oil on Cavas
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Description: Depiction of Mars, the Roman god of war as well as Venus, goddess of love as a commentary of the European war that lasted for 30 years
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Interpretation: This shows a contrast between war and love whereby Mars is seemingly pleaded by Venus to cease the waging of war and put a stop to all the destruction that has been done.
Prometheus Bound - (1612)
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
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Medium: Oil on canvas
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Description: An eagle standing on Prometheus, a titan from the Greek mythology, pecks on his open wounds
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Interpretation: The beast did not hesitate to tear down the wounds of Prometheus and feed on him after being stimulated by the blood and flesh from the open wound. This reflects on the minimal temptation it requires for an animal to start destroying even when there is a large possibility of being overturned, especially in this case where Prometheus is a Titan.
References;
Girodet, A. L., (1810). Révolte du Caire. Retrieved from, http://www.19thcenturyart-facos.com/artwork/saturn-devouring-his-children
(2014). Revolt of Cairo . Retrieved from, https://yesterdayunhinged.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/war-paint-part-4-revolt-of-cairo/
Goya, F., (1819-1823). Saturn Devouring his Son. Retrieved from, http://www.19thcenturyart-facos.com/artwork/saturn-devouring-his-children
Najmi, Z., (2016). An Analysis of Saturn Devouring his son . Retrieved from, http://totallyhistory.com/consequences-of-war/
Rubens, P. P., (1612). Prometheus Bound. Retrieved from, http://totallyhistory.com/consequences-of-war/
Rubens, P. P., (1638-1639). Consequences of War. Retrieved from, http://totallyhistory.com/prometheus-bound/
Totally History, (2012). Consequences of War . Retrieved from, http://totallyhistory.com/consequences-of-war/
Totally History, (2012). Prometheus Bound. Retrieved from, https://yesterdayunhinged.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/war-paint-part-4-revolt-of-cairo/