The union of Earth and Water by Pierre Paul Rubens

A monumental allegory of cosmic harmony and prosperity, this painting joins terrestrial and marine elements in a passionate embrace. The artist Pierre Paul Rubens stages in “L’Union de la Terre et de l’Eau” the fruitful meeting between the goddess Cybele and the god Neptune. This masterpiece reflects the Baroque spirit through the muscular power of the deities and the profusion of nature’s bounty.:::::On the left, the goddess of the Earth stands nude, holding a cornucopia overflowing with colorful fruits while a tiger reposes at her feet. Beside her, the god of the sea with an athletic back and flowery beard holds his trident while gazing at the goddess with tenderness. Above them, a winged Victory places a laurel wreath upon the female deity’s head. At the bottom of the composition, the colossal Triton emerges from the waves blowing into a large sea shell to celebrate this alliance. Two small putti play in the foaming water in the foreground among shells scattered on the shore. Golden light sculpts the musculature of the sea god and illuminates the paleness of the goddess.:::::Pierre Paul Rubens displays unmatched mastery in anatomical expression and the rendering of water and fruit textures. His handling of oil paint bestows a heroic breath as well as striking realism upon this mythological allegory.