“The Four Continents,” an artwork by Peter Paul Rubens, is an oil on canvas painting that dates from approximately 1612 to 1614. It measures 283 by 208 cm and is an exemplar of the Baroque art movement. As an allegorical painting, it represents the four continents of the world as understood by Europeans during the time it was created. The artwork is part of the collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
In this allegorical representation, the artwork portrays four figures, each embodying one of the known continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. These figures are depicted with various attributes and are surrounded by an assortment of animals and objects that suggest the cultural and geographical associations of each continent. Rich in detail and symbolism, the artwork displays the dynamic composition and emotional intensity characteristic of Rubens and the Baroque period. The physical interactions among the figures and the varied expressions on their faces contribute to a lively and engaging scene that invites contemplation on the diversity of the known world at the time of the painting’s creation.
