BLOG 2- Peter Paul Rubens-Fall of Phaeton
Peter Paul Rubens’s Fall of Phaeton is a powerful painting evoking a powerful emotional response. Peter Paul Rubens was the leading counter reformist. His paintings represented ideas that conflicted with the reformist views and he was a leading advocator for the Council of Trent. Rubens, being a Calvinist, devoted much of his art to conflict these views (Peter Paul Rubens). Religion was a major subject of his and even though this painting is mythology, the style of art represents a counter reformist view.
Fall of Phaeton thoroughly describes the panic and terror in which something in this of this disastrous mythological magnitude could occur. This piece tells the story of Helios, a Greek god who is tricked by his son, Phaeton, into letting such a careless youth to drive the god’s chariot into the sun. I am drawn to this painting because of its tremendous power, vibrant colors and the apparent disaster that is taking place. The light represents the disrupted heavens and lightening bolts being thrown by Zeus to save the destruction of that Phaeton caused.
Runnerlks24's Blog 
You got to love Peter Paul Rubens! This painting is amazing! I agree that this is the kind of painting that evokes a strong emotion when viewing it. You can feel the tension in the painting which is a powerful thing. The use of light, color, texture and movement in the painting is extraordinary. I’m not too familiar with the common knowledge of the time, but am assuming that most people would have recognized the scene from mythology (?). Good job connecting Rubens work with religous and political views of the time.
Hi Lindy, nice choice for your Baroque piece. I like ‘Fall of Phaeton’ very much. The color excites and inspires emotion like you said. This painting is intense! There’s real action happening here and I like that. When and where did Rubens paint this work and how specifically did Rubens’ works not agree with ideas laid down by the Council of Trent? There are many figures in this painting, who are they? Which figure is Phaeton? Well done on citing your sources and giving a clear link to view the painting.
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This is an intense and very beautiful piece. I agree with you and really take to this painting because of the vibrant colors that grab your attention. I do not know much about mythology but I am assuming Phaeton is the man falling out of the chariot toward the right side of the picture. Just a little detail I noticed is the Painting is called “The Fall of Phaeton” and if I am right about which character he is, he would in fact be the only character falling in the work, all the others are shown up right. I did wonder why he was not painted in the middle to draw more attention to him, but either way it is an amazing piece. I do like how you connected the piece as a response to the Counter Reformation even though it did use biblical characters.
The most overlooked part of Rubens are the oil sketches and drawings, simply brilliant pieces of art.