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That is Peter Paul Rubens' painting of Mars and Rhea Silvia. According to the legend, Mars loved Rhea Silvia, despite the problematic fact that she was a Vestal Virgin by occupation. Out of their union came Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.
Anyway, in the painting, we see Mars advancing upon his beloved, while a couple of cupids remove his armour. Beside Rhea Silvia is the altar of the Temple of Vesta (I particularly like the sphinxes). On the alter, at the extreme right of the painting, is the Palladium, the statue of Athena that somehow (there are various versions of the story) made its way from Troy to Italy.
Now, there is something a little bit unusual about both Mars and the statue of Athena. Can you spot what it is? The answer is in the comments.
4 comments:
They're both left-handed.
Very neat!!
that is amazing, WHY do you suppose?
The best suggestion that I've heard is that the original sketch for the painting was meant to be the pattern for a tapestry. I'm unclear on the details, but apparently that would mean that the original sketch would have to be a mirror image of the anticipated final product!
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