The artwork “Tereus Confronted with the Head of His Son Itylus” is a mythological painting by the Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens, created between the years 1636 and 1638. This oil on panel painting measures 195 by 267 centimeters and clearly reflects the dramatic intensity associated with the Baroque movement. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork depicts a harrowing scene derived from Greek mythology where two women, Procne and Philomela, are seen enacting their revenge against King Tereus. In the composition’s center, Tereus reacts with horror and shock as he is confronted with the severed head of his young son Itylus, whom he unknowingly consumed as a meal prepared by Procne, as her act of vengeance for his brutalization of her sister Philomela. The figures are rendered with dynamic movement and intense emotional expressions, showcasing Rubens’ mastery over capturing the psychological drama of the narrative. The artwork’s use of dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, as well as the rich, warm color palette, contributes to the overall emotional impact and theatricality characteristic of Rubens’ work and the Baroque period as a whole.
