Saturn (Rubens)

"Saturn" also known as "Saturn Devouring His Son" is a haunting painting by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, created in 1636. Today, this striking piece is housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

The artwork was commissioned by Philip IV of Spain for his hunting lodge, the Torre de la Parada. Rubens, influenced by Michelangelo's masterpieces during his travels in Italy, infused the painting with a powerful intensity. Interestingly, the depiction of Saturn was also shaped by Galileo's astronomical discoveries. At the top of the painting, three stars symbolize the planet Saturn and allude to its rings—though these rings were not clearly visible with the telescopes of Rubens' time.

Rubens' dramatic portrayal later inspired another renowned artist, Francisco Goya, who created his own version of "Saturn Devouring His Son" between 1819 and 1823. Both paintings remain powerful, unsettling reminders of the mythological tale and the artists' brilliance.