Apotheosis of King James I 1634

"Apotheosis of King James I" is a large-scale oil painting by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, completed in 1634. The painting depicts the ascension of King James I to heaven, surrounded by angels and allegorical figures. The composition is a powerful demonstration of Rubens’s mastery of Baroque style, with dramatic movement, swirling clouds, and vibrant colors. The painting was originally commissioned for the ceiling of the Banqueting House in London, and is now housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The painting is a celebration of the Stuart monarchy and its divine right to rule.