Mars, ca. 1649

About the Work

Johann Friedrich Städel particularly admired the Bolognese artist Guercino. Goethe, who visited the collector in October 1814, reported on the large number of drawings by the artist in his holdings. Guercino was appreciated above all for the lifelike quality and expressive force of his depictions. The armoured figure of Mars, the god of war, exemplifies both of these aspects.