Art Chowder January | February 2017, Issue 7 | Page 45

THE BALANCE OF PAINTERS OF ROGER DE PILES | Melville Holmes

PETER PAUL RUBENS
(1577-1640)
The Consequences of War
1638-39
Pitti Palace, Florence

This painting, which de Piles may well have seen, is an allegory that relates to the calamity of the Thirty Years’ War,
which plagued Europe from 1618-1638. The scene of turmoil fits the subject. The central figure is Mars, the Roman god
of war. His paramour Venus tries to restrain his rush to action, but the Fury Alekto drags him on; devastation is on the
move. A clothed woman (Greek gods are normally shown nude) is said to stand for the grief of Europe in the mayhem.
The foot of Mars tramples art and literature, a drawing and a manuscript. The chaos that surrounds the rush to war fits
the subject, while the artist does not fail to show the beautiful parts of the figures, when appropriate.

JACOPO BASSANO (1510-1592)
The Adoration of the Magi
1542
National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh

The Holy Family here is easily identifiable because the figures are entirely conventional, especially the Virgin with her
rose-colored tunic and blue mantle. The Magi (or “Kings” in
another title of the painting), can be seen because there are
three and they are offering the gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. But, with the exception of the young man tipping
his fancy plumed hat, their entourage seems little focused
on the purpose of their journey and appear to be chosen
and placed for the entertainment of the viewer.

January|February 2017 45