Thetis Dipping the Infant Achilles into the River Styx

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• Catalina asked

  Hello! I'm an art restoration student who would like to know if any studies have been made on this work, if by chance I could be able to read any publication about it. Thank you.

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Catalina,
  
  I can reach out to the curator of 'Old Masters' at the museum to see if there are any studies. For your question about the publication I woud reach out to bibliotheek@boijmans.nl. If there is any literature published about this artwork, they will be able to tell you.
  
  Good luck with your studies!
  Best,
  Lisa

• Aslı asked

  Hello, I'm Aslı. I'm studying in the archeology department. I am conducting a research to make iconographic and mythological analyzes on this painting of Rubens. I'm running out of time and finding reliable sources is important to me. I would like to benefit from your information by including you in the bibliography. Thank you in advance, good work.

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Asli, it will be quite possible to find good information about Greek mythology and the mythe of Achilles. In this oil sketch you see the beginning of the story where his mother Thetis is dipping her son in the river to make him immortal. There also has been written substantially about Rubens' series of oil sketches. You will find literature in every good art library. Good luck with your studies! Els

• Luis Angel Rodriguez asked

  Who holds the torch in this painting? Who are those dogs?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Luis, Thank you for your question. The torch is held by one of the Fates, a goddess who destines the life of a human being – in this case Achilles. And on the ground is actually just one dog with three heads: hellhound Cerberus. I hope this information is sufficient. Good luck, Els

• Jeff asked

  The Ringling museum seems to have a similar painting; what is the difference between this version and theirs: http://emuseum.ringling.org/emuseum/objects/22610/achilles-dipped-into-the-river-styx?ctx=c6cd4de8-23d2-4805-b84a-cd765d5bb906&idx=0
  

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Dear Jeff, the work at the Ringling Museum is the larger 'modello' of this first sketch that Rubens made for a series of tapestries. The modello in turn is the basis for the full scale 'cartoons' which were used during the actual production of the final tapestries. All the best, Rianne

• tristion asked

  what era was this made

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Tristion, this was made between 1630 and 1635. kind regards, Sophie

• lewis ashe asked

  Where is this art piece located now?

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

  Hi Lewis, This work is now on view in room 13 of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam! Best, Rianne