The Myth Of Saturn

Saturn is a Roman mythological figure who has inspired several artists throughout the world. Apart from literature and writings, many artists took the story of Saturn to interpret visually through their works. Peter Paul Rubens and Francisco Goya are the fine examples of taking the cannibalistic nature of Saturn and interpret it through their paintings. Both the paintings are called as Saturn Devouring His Son and both are horrific yet true to the nature of Saturn.
The Myth of Saturn
Saturn was born to Caelus [the sky god] and mother earth. He was frustrated by the tyrannical rule of his Father and defeats him to become the chief deity for the world. One day he listens to a prophecy that a child born to him will dethrone him. Saturn was married

It was believed to be the time of the Golden Age for Latium when Saturn ruled. The myth of Saturn is similar to that of the Greek myth of Cronus; but, the major difference is the addition of the Golden Age by the Romans giving Saturn a superior place amongst the Roman deities.
Peter Paul Rubens – Saturn Devouring His Son
Rubens, the Flemish artist, is renowned for his mythological paintings. His works such as Samson and Delilah, Venus and Adonis, The Birth of Milky Way, etc. have brought him fame all over the world. The painting Saturn Devouring His Son was completed in the year 1636. The painting shows that it was done under the influence of two people – Michelangelo and Galileo.
Galileo with the help of his telescope discovers Saturn and two other stars aligned close to it. It was later found out that they are not stars, but the rings present around Saturn. The painting shows clearly the central star Saturn and the other two. This indicates that Rubens had faith in the scientific development of the age, rather than dismissing the discoveries of

During the timeline of 1819 to 1823, Goya focussed on dark paintings and the art works of this period were called as Black Paintings. Saturn Devouring His Son was completed during this time period and there is no certain date associated to the completion of the painting. It was not done on canvas, but Goya painted it on the wall of his house as a mural using oils.
Goya had a house called as the Villa of the Deaf Man in which he painted 14 works. All the works are dark and were painted on the walls. Goya never meant those paintings to be made public; therefore, one can observe that there are no finishing touches or efforts for improvisation. The particular art work Saturn Devouring His Son was placed in the dining room along with other ‘black paintings’. Further, the name for the work is not given by Goya and it was later inferred that the image resembles the Roman myth of