Minerva and Hercules Restraining Mars 

Peter Paul Rubens made this oil on panel sketch, Minerva and Hercules Restraining Mars, in the first half of the 17th century. It stages an intervention by the gods of wisdom and strength to stop the devastation of war. Rubens was working in Antwerp, now in Belgium, a strategic region fought over by Europe's superpowers, where the horrors of the Thirty Years War were keenly felt. It’s not difficult to see this sketch as an appeal for peace. Rubens, a devout Catholic, likely intended this work to be seen in the context of religious institutions and political developments in the region. The artist's deep knowledge of classical mythology and allegory would have signaled to educated viewers the importance of prudence and valor in times of conflict. Understanding the painting fully requires delving into the period's complex religious, political, and intellectual history, using sources such as letters, political pamphlets, and theological treatises. Through this, we can better grasp the painting’s original social context.