Salvator Rosa (1615-1673) – Astrea, Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility, Turns Away from Earth and Leaves Scales and Sword to the Shepherds Kunsthistorisches Museum

The composition presents a dramatic departure from earthly concerns, staged within a rugged, classical landscape. A female figure, presumably divine in nature, ascends into a cloudy sky, her movement characterized by a sense of abandonment and rejection. She relinquishes tangible symbols – scales and a sword – which fall towards a group of shepherds gathered below.
The setting is dominated by a rocky outcrop, partially obscured by dense foliage and hinting at an ancient structure built into the hillside. A solitary tree stands prominently near the foreground, its gnarled trunk and branches suggesting resilience amidst a changing world. The shepherds themselves are depicted in varying states of reaction; some appear to be observing with curiosity, others with apprehension or even awe. Their attire suggests a rustic existence, contrasting sharply with the ethereal nature of the departing figure.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and greens – which reinforce the sense of a natural, untamed environment. However, these are punctuated by the brighter hues of the sky and the white garments of the ascending woman, drawing the viewer’s eye upwards. The clouds themselves possess a turbulent quality, suggesting an emotional upheaval or transition.
Subtly, the scene conveys themes of loss, responsibility, and the potential for societal decay. The discarded scales likely represent justice or balance, while the sword symbolizes power or defense. Their abandonment by the divine figure implies a withdrawal of these principles from the mortal realm, leaving humanity to grapple with its own failings. The shepherds, as representatives of rural society, are left to inherit this burden – a symbolic passing of the torch that carries both promise and peril.
The artist’s choice to depict a seemingly benevolent deity in an act of departure introduces a layer of ambiguity. Is this a moment of divine judgment? A necessary relinquishment of power? Or perhaps a commentary on the cyclical nature of prosperity and decline, where even the most fertile lands are subject to abandonment and renewal? The painting invites contemplation regarding the precariousness of order and the enduring challenges faced by those entrusted with its maintenance.