RUBENS, Peter Paul (b. 1577, Siegen, d. 1640, Antwerpen) |
The Union of Earth and Waterc. 1618Oil on canvas, 223 x 181 cm The Hermitage, St. Petersburg | ||
In the 16-17th centuries the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) are usually represented as classical gods and goddess with their attributes. Earth, as a woman has the attributes that belong to the goddesses of fertility (e.g. the cornucopia of Ceres). Water is personified by a river good with his overturned urn.
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