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Art Analysis: Prometheus Bound

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"Prometheus Bound” is an oil painting done on canvas by a Baroque artist, Peter Paul Reubens. The painting which was completed in 1618 though started in 1611 is based on a character, the Titan Prometheus, in one of the Greek myths. Reubens sought the help of Frans Snyders, a famous animal painter who painted the eagle in the painting. The painting which measures 242.6 cm by 209.6 cm is currently available for public viewing in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With its sensuous richness, color and movement, "Prometheus Bound” is typical of baroque painting that evokes strong emotions in the viewer.
Reubens was known for his paintings that were based on religion and mythology. As baroque artist his paintings were mainly on religion and specifically the Catholic faith. In this painting, however, he borrowed from the Greek myth. "Prometheus Bound” has the image of the Greek Titan, Prometheus, who is lying in a prostrate position. His hands are chained to a rock which is beneath a tree. On top of him is a large eagle that is tearing off flesh from his chest and blood is oozing out. The …show more content…

With its sensuous richness, color and movement, "Prometheus Bound” evokes strong emotions in the viewer. The painting is based on a Greek myth where the Titan Prometheus is punished by Zeus for stealing fire and giving it human. Prometheus is punished by being bound on a rock and having an eagle rip off his liver daily. The painting itself is large. The objects in the painting are also large. This help intensify the agony that Prometheus is going through. It should also be noted that Reubens uses dark color to signify the pain and the agony that Prometheus is going through. The asymmetry in the painting makes the painting to have an aspect of movement. The movement signifies the struggle between the eagle and

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