Stormy Landscape with Philemon and Baucis, 1620 by Rubens

Stormy Landscape with Philemon and Baucis shows a stream that has raged and ruined the landscape after a storm. It has flooded fields, broken trees, and is rushing towards the foreground of the painting. Although the skies are beginning to clear and a rainbow appears in the lower left corner beside the waterfall, the storm has decimated the landscape.

The four figures on the right are Jupiter, Mercury, Philemon, and Baucis. Jupiter and Mercury come to Earth and are treated poorly by all but Philemon and Baucis. They are so outraged; they send a terrible storm to flood the land sparing only Philemon, Baucis, and their humble dwelling.

The painting is a statement about how everything is in the hands of divine powers and subject to change. Rubens is stating that there is no tree or river that cannot be turned into a living creature and no living creature that cannot be transformed into a river or a tree.

This painting demonstrates the Baroque style because it is not centered but rather is darker on the right and brighter on the left. It also has a circular feel to it because the ground slopes to the left where the where trees bring your eye to the top and the clouds sweep to the right only to be brought back down by more trees and the people.