Forge of Vulcan by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez, 1630

This masterpiece was created in 1630, the work of Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez.  It displays the story of Apollo’s telling Hephaistos (Vulcan to the Romans) of the illicit love affair between Ares (Mars) and Hephaistos’ wife Aphrodite (Venus).  Apollo appears in the form of Phoebus, the bright shining one, and has a radiance about his head.  Hephaistos shows his outrage in his glaring eyes.  The dramatic moment is superbly captured by the Spanish master.  He artist died in 1660 in Madrid when he was sixty-one years old. This work is now displayed in the Museo de Prado in Madrid.

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