Hygieia – goddess of health Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

This painting depicts Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, hygiene, and sanitation. She is shown as a voluptuous woman with warm skin, her hair artfully styled in a bun, and adorned with a single pearl earring. She is draped in a vibrant red robe that falls open to partially expose her bare breast. Her gaze is directed downwards, focused on the snake she gently holds in her hands.

Hygieia is offering a liquid from a small, golden vessel into the mouth of a serpent that coils around her arms and left hand. The snake, with its textured, golden-brown scales, is a well-known symbol associated with medicine and healing. The background is a dramatic interplay of dark, swirling clouds and areas of light, suggesting a turbulent atmosphere that contrasts with Hygieias serene demeanor.

The subtexts of the painting are rich with symbolism:

• Health and Healing: Hygieia herself embodies health and well-being. The snake is a symbol of Aesculapius, the god of medicine, and by extension, of healing and medical arts. The act of feeding the snake suggests the nourishment and care required for health.
• Purity and Potency: The snakes shedding of its skin is often interpreted as a symbol of renewal and regeneration, further reinforcing themes of healing and rejuvenation. The liquid Hygieia offers could represent medicine or a health-giving elixir.
• Feminine Power and Nurturing: Hygieia is portrayed with soft, feminine curves and a maternal, nurturing gesture towards the snake. This emphasizes the gentle, caring, and life-affirming aspects of health and healing.
• Balance and Harmony: The contrast between the swirling, possibly stormy background and Hygieias calm, controlled interaction with the snake can symbolize the pursuit of health and balance amidst lifes challenges.
• Sensuality and Divinity: The depiction of Hygieias exposed breast, while perhaps intended to convey naturalness and the maternal aspect of health, also adds a layer of sensuality. This blend of the divine and the sensual is common in classical depictions of goddesses.