Atlas supporting the Heavens

Late in 1636, Rubens was requested to organise the production of around 120 paintings for the Torre de la Parada, King Philip of Spain’s new hunting lodge outside Madrid.

This lively and inventive panel is one of 50 preparatory sketches Rubens made for this commission. It presents Atlas, the Titan who bore the globe of the world on his shoulders for having dared to overthrow Jupiter, King of the Gods.