Helios and Phaeton with Saturn and the Four Seasons

The painting "Helios and Phaeton with Saturn and the Four Seasons" is a 1630 oil on canvas painting by Guido Reni, currently housed at the Neues Palais in Potsdam. The artwork measures 1.53 meters in width and 1.22 meters in height.

The painting depicts a dynamic scene filled with mythological figures. At the center, Helios, the sun god, is depicted as a youthful figure in a golden chariot formed by a crescent moon. He holds the reins of his four steeds, barely visible in the composition. Beside him sits Phaeton, his son, who famously met his demise after losing control of his father's chariot.

Surrounding Helios and Phaeton are figures representing the four seasons, identifiable by their attributes and positioning. A winged figure, likely representing Time, hovers above, while below, a reclining figure likely represents Saturn, the god of time and agriculture. The overall composition is full of movement and drama, with swirling clouds and dynamic poses conveying the power and majesty of the sun god and the passage of time.