Rubens, Peter Paul (1577-1640)
The Four Rivers of Paradise
c.1615
Oil on canvas, 208 × 283 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
According to the conventional interpretation, the four continents are depicted here as female allegoric figures paired with the gods of their respective rivers. Slightly elevated above the others, Europe is sitting on the left, accompanied by the river god of the Danube, and facing Asia on the right with the Ganges. At the back is America with the god of the Rio de la Plata. The Nile has his arm around the black beauty Africa. A new interpretation, however, sees the river figures as an allegory for the four great rivers of the ancient East, or the four rivers of paradise. (KHM)
Compare:
Bernini, Gian Lorenzo (1598-1680)
Fontana dei Fiumi
1651
Piazza Navona, Roma