Allegory of Air and Fire
Artistfollower of
Jan Brueghel the elder
(Flemish, 1568-1625)
Dateca. 1620
MediumCradled oak panel
DimensionsImage: 24 1/4 x 37 in. (61.6 x 94 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN229
The composition of this painting is based on an original by Jan Brueghel the Elder, which must have been extremely popular, as it was repeated numerous times by various artists. Although the subject is taken from classical mythology--Vulcan, the husband of Venus, was the god of fire and metalworking--it seems the artist was interested in it mostly as an opportunity to depict luxurious metal objects in great detail.
The painting provides a wealth of visual information about the making of armor and weapons in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. In the foregound, individual pieces of plate armor, helmets, swords, a crossbow, and a firearm are strewn about. At right, men operate trip hammers and polishing wheels, both driven by water, while metalworking tools are displayed around them. In the center background, just next to Vulcan, is a cannon on its carriage.
In other versions of the composition, Vulcan's forge occupies the left-hand side. The Ringling's painting is unusual in that it features carefully-observed depictions of numerous bird species in place of the forge.
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