Rubens: Tereus' Banquet

Tereus (left) sits on a throne covered in red drapery. He faces Philomela and Procne (right) raising his left hand as if to ward the off; his right hand grips a sheathed sword. Procne holds her son, Itys', severed head in her bare hands, stretching it out toward her husband Tereus. Philomela stands behind Procne with her right hand on Procne's left shoulder. Philomela grips a thyrsus behind her back in her left hand. Both women's hair is loose and their clothing disarrayed indicating their madness.

Annotations

Philomela and Procne present Tereus with the head of his son, Itys. Prado Museum (Museo Nacional Del Prado) P001660.

Online Resources

Wikimedia Commonsa

Museo Nacional Del Prado

Associated Passages

Properties

Date

1636 - 1638 CE

Medium

Location

Museo Nacional Del Prado

Image Credit

Wikimedia Commons