How the Sun's Eclipse Has Been Depicted in Art Through the Ages

The celestial phenomenon of a solar eclipse has captivated and inspired artists for centuries, frequently carrying connotations of foreboding or the end of times. From the Renaissance master Peter Paul Rubens to modern musicians and writers, the dramatic dimming of the sun has provided fertile ground for creative expression.

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Rubens paints a solar eclipse in a very realistic way. It is the first time in Western art history that it is depicted so realistically. You can feel that he must have seen a solar eclipse, because you cannot paint it like that if you have not experienced it yourself.

Rubens, in particular, is credited with one of the earliest realistic artistic renderings of a solar eclipse. His monumental triptych, "The Raising of the Cross," housed in Antwerp Cathedral, features a side panel where the moon is depicted obscuring the sun. Art historians, like Rubens expert Roger Van der Linden, suggest that Rubens must have witnessed an eclipse firsthand to achieve such accuracy, noting that it's difficult to paint such an event realistically without personal experience.

Van der Linden hypothesizes that Rubens may have witnessed a total solar eclipse on October 12, 1605, along the Italian coast while he was working in Mantua. Although he might not have seen the full totality, the eclipse was reportedly around 90% obscured and was a significant topic of discussion among European intellectuals at the time. This event, coupled with Rubens's other works from that period that feature twilight scenes reminiscent of eclipses, points to its influence on his art.

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On October 12, 1605, there was a total solar eclipse that passed along the Italian coast. Rubens was painting in Mantua at that time. He would not have seen a complete eclipse, but certainly over 90 percent.

The Bible has also been a significant source of inspiration, particularly the passage in Luke 23:44-45 describing darkness falling over the land for three hours during Christ's crucifixion. This biblical event, whether caused by an actual eclipse or not, has been interpreted and depicted by artists, with some ancient illustrations showing the sun and moon positioned on either side of the crucified Christ. The enduring fascination with eclipses continues to resonate in art, music, and literature, with references found in the works of Handel, Pink Floyd, Shakespeare, and Hergé, the creator of Tintin.

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The entire European intelligentsia was talking about it.