Prometheus Chained to the Caucasus, c.1570-1608 (oil on canvas)

In Greek mythology, Prometheus created man from clay and stole fire for human use. As punishment for his rebelliousness Prometheus was sentenced with eternal torment by Zeus; bound to a rock by chains, he was visited each day by an eagle who fed off his liver. Prometheus became a tragic hero, a symbol of humans striving to improve their existence; it is possible that Palma’s real subject here is an allegory of the torments of creative genius. Prometheus is seen slightly from above, lying full-length on the rocks and naked but for a loin-cloth, with a dark eagle attacking his liver. His head is turned upwards to the right, so that the viewer can read the agony on his face, and his left hand is clenched in pain. Beyond is a stormy sky. Palma’s principal prototype was Titian’s ‘Tityus’ of 1549 (Museo del Prado, Spain), which was painted for Mary of Hungary, although he probably only knew the work from the engraving of 1570 by Martino Rota. There is an almost identical picture in Palazzo Donà dalle Rose, Venice, although it is unclear which is the first version. Inscribed on the rock at the left: ‘IACOBVS PALMA/.F.’