The Discovery Of The Baby Erichthonius By The Daughters Of Cecrops

We are proud to feature "The Discovery of the Baby Erichthonius by the Daughters of Cecrops" by the eminent Baroque artist, Peter Paul Rubens. This striking oil painting, awash with Rubens' characteristic dynamism and rich color palette, presents a compelling scene steeped in mythological lore.The work vividly captures the moment from Greek mythology where the daughters of Cecrops, the legendary first king of Athens, discover the infant Erichthonius. According to myth, Erichthonius was a son of Hephaestus, god of craftsmanship and fire, and was miraculously born from the earth. Entrusted to the daughters of Cecrops in a closed basket, curiosity drove them to peek inside, against explicit instructions, unveiling the child's surprising partial serpent form, a secret meant to be kept.Rubens masterfully depicts the daughters' various reactions upon discovering Erichthonius. The figures are rendered with emotional intensity and physical grace, typical of Rubens' approach to human forms. The setting is a blend of architectural solidity and ethereal, swirling drapery, enhancing the scene's dramatic appeal. To the left, one daughter starts back in shock, her body twisting away from the basket, while another, leaning forward, is drawn by a mix of fear and fascination. Completing this tableau, a calm and nurturing third figure gently cradles the baby, her golden drapes echoing the light that seems to divine the scene.This painting not only showcases Rubens’ skill in depicting human emotion and supernatural themes but also serves as a stunning visual exploration of curiosity, consequence, and the interplay between the mortal and the divine.