The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus by Rubens is an oil painting on canvas created around 1618, during the Flemish Baroque period. It depicts a scene from Greek mythology, where the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Jupiter and Leda, abduct Hilaire and Phoebe, the daughters of Leucippus, king of Argos. It is on display at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Historical context of the work
The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus is part of the mythological paintings created by Rubens for the court of Archdukes Albert and Isabella, the sovereigns of the Spanish Netherlands. It was commissioned by Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria, who was a great admirer of the Flemish painter.
The painting is inspired by several ancient literary sources, including Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Apollonius of Rhodes’ Argonautica. It tells the episode where Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, abduct the two sisters Hilaire and Phoebe, who were engaged to their cousins Idas and Lynceus. A battle ensues between the two pairs of twins, during which Castor is killed by Idas and Pollux kills Lynceus. Jupiter then intervenes to grant immortality to Castor and Pollux, who share their lives between heaven and hell.
Analysis of the painting
The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus is a painting measuring 224 x 210 cm. It depicts the moment when Castor and Pollux seize the two young women in a rural landscape. The movement of the composition is circular and dynamic, creating an impression of whirlwind and violence.
- On the right, Castor rides a white horse and lifts Hilaire in his arms. He looks at his captive with a triumphant smile.
- On the left, Pollux rides a horse and drags Phoebe by her hair. He wears silver armor. He turns his gaze away from the viewer with a proud expression.
- In the center, Hilaire and Phoebe are depicted naked and distressed. They vainly try to struggle and call for help. Their bodies are modeled with care and sensuality.
- The composition of the painting is based on a contrast between warm and cool colors, curved and straight shapes, ascending and descending directions. Rubens uses oil on canvas technique, which allows him to create light and shadow effects that enhance the relief of characters. He also takes care with details such as animals, plants and accessories that demonstrate great technical virtuosity.
- The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus is a typical work in Baroque style characterized by movement, theatricality and emotion. Rubens expresses his personal vision of ancient myth by staging a dramatic and passionate scene.
Rubens also celebrates human beauty and women by depicting characters realistically and idealistically. He evokes love desire but also violence that can result from it. He also shows his admiration for ancient art by drawing inspiration from Greek and Roman statues.
The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus is therefore a remarkable work for its technique and expressiveness. It is also an emblematic work of Flemish Baroque that testifies to Rubens’ artistic and cultural talent.
