Prometheus Bound
1618
Peter Paul Rubens brings the brutal Greek myth of Prometheus to life with terrifying realism in this 1618 masterpiece. Chained to a jagged rock, the titan writhes in agony as a massive eagle tears into his chest to feast on his regenerating liver. Interestingly, Rubens didn't paint the bird himself—he brought in his friend Frans Snyders, a specialist in animal painting, to create that incredibly detailed, feathered predator. It's a perfect example of Baroque drama, capturing the exact moment of peak suffering with dynamic movement and intense emotion.
Location: Philadelphia Museum of Art
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