Die Niederlage Sanheribs,

um 1617

Material / Technology / Carrier

Eichenholz

Dimensions of the object

97,7 x 122,7 cm

Displayed

AP OG Saal VIII

Department

Flämische Malerei

Genre

Malerei

Inventory number

326

Acquisition

1806 aus der Galerie Düsseldorf

Stock

Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München

Citation

Peter Paul Rubens, Die Niederlage Sanheribs, um 1617, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/2mxqZgyL8b (Last updated on 17.10.2023)

The Old Testament tells of how King Sennacherib of Assyria besieged the city of Jerusalem in 701 BC when suddenly an angel was sent by God. Rubens conveys this dramatic climax through the painting’s compact composition and a differentiated use of light. It highlights the dead already lying on the ground, those fleeing on the far right of the picture, and in particular Sennacherib himself and his horrified facial features. The magnificent rearing grey horse was based on a work by Leonardo da Vinci.