Peter Paul Rubens, 1618 – 1619
Unlike most of the artist's works, this painting is a small format (only 76 x 66 cm).
In ancient Greek mythology, satyrs were the companions of Dionysus, the god of winemaking and drunken revelry. It's not surprising that the satyrs were only interested in debauchery with nymphs and drinking.
Rubens portrayed 2 types of satyrs: the one in the background prefers alcohol; in the front we see a voluptuous one - a lustful look and a grin, a bunch of grapes clutched in his hand сan make the viewer embarrassed. There is either a defiance or a bluff in his eyes.
2 mythological creatures are a symbol, an image. They represent the animal and human principles in person. The contrast between the strength and bestial nature of satyrs, on the one hand, and their human emotions and actions, close to us, on the other.
There is another interpretation of the painting: although it is called "Two Satyrs," there is only one satyr in it.
In the background Rubens portrayed a man drinking, with a trickle that could be either blissful drool or spilled wine. On his head is the mask of the lion he would like to be. The true satyr clutches a grapevine, embodying life and fertility, but also greed, avarice and inebriation; he, in turn, scoffs at the drunkard. If you look closely, you can see that the man's cap is not a lion's cap, but a sheep's head cap. And the satyr's gaze is sober, angry, and cunning. This interpretation is no coincidence: since ancient times, people have been trying to dump their own sins onto "satyrs" and other supernatural beings, thereby evading responsibility for their actions.
Summing up, interpretations of the painting may include reflections on the duality of human nature, the struggle between primal and the rational, and the recognition and acceptance of darker sides.
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