Sir Peter Paul Rubens is one of the most important painters in European art history. He created 2,500 compositions and approximately 10,000 works of art: paintings, drawings, book illustrations and even tapestries.
Rubens’s compositions reference classical and Christian history. His Baroque style accentuated movement, colour, and sensuality, all of which are found in “The Triumphal Chariot of Kallo.”
While I knew that Rubens was an incredibly versatile artist, I discovered that he was also a renowned diplomat who was knighted by both Philip IV of Spain and Charles I of England.
Rubens is known for such works as “The Descent from the Cross,” “Wolf and Fox Hunt” and “The Garden of Love.” It seems that “The Triumphal Chariot of Kallo” is less known.
Who was Kallo? I have no idea.
When I viewed the painting on Wednesday with all its pomp and circumstance, I felt certain that a simply internet search would present the answer. Alas, the search continues. If anyone has any information on Kallo and why he was on a Triumphal Chariot, I would be most grateful.
ChasingART 
I thought it was a place, but I wonder if Jacques Kallo is somehow connected. The years connect…sort of.
The further back we go, the less we can know.
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So true, Resa!!! There are so many back stories that have back stories and on and on. It is like reading a book about several generations of family. You need to know what comes before so that you understand the present. It is a cycle of learning/understanding. The more you understand, the more there is to understand. And sometimes there are stories that will be forever lost in the folds of history. I agree completely with your thought – the further back we go, the less we can know.
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Learning is knowledge’s bicycle.
{{{hugs}}}
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Oh, I LOVE that thought, Resa!
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I think I made that up. Although one never really knows.
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It’s a vibrant painting. I like it!
There was an artist Jacques Kallo 1592 – 1635.
Perhaps it was an earlier relative of his?
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I was immediately attracted to this painting too, Resa. I felt I was on the sidelines watching a victorious procession. I am on the hunt for more information of Jacques Kallo!!!
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Finding out the occasion for the painting was such fun!
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I love the back stories of paintings which add so much meaning to the painting. I even wondered whether there was a Kallo in the Bible, given Rubens paintings of Christianity. Was there someone I missed? I never thought of Kallo being a place and a battle.
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Funny how our minds will do that to us from time to time. 🙂
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Thank you for teaching me new things today. I didn’t know Reubens was a diplomat and I have never heard of Kallo.
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Oh Cindy, I continue to learn. It is like Dr. Seuss says: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
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I also didn’t know about Kallo or Reubens’ being a diplomat.
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A very interesting painting! ! I have studied the top of the painting, I can not see where the top of the chariot ends–or maybe it doesn’t end but goes past the top! ! I read the comments and found out a little about the artist! The Artist was very talented in many different ways. Very impressive that he was knighted by both England and Spain! ! This is one of the paintings featured in our ART CALENDAR!
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Isn’t the 2022 Art Calendar remarkable. Every year, the creators of this art calendar find new paintings to feature. Given that Rubens painted over 10,000 and there are many other artists that have graced our world, it seems that we will have many years of art calendars full of fresh paintings.
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My Art Calendar and I have a special relationship! I love it!
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So do I, Frances. The best way to begin a day is with creative energy. That is what I feel when I unveil the painting for the day.
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I love Ruben’s work and this painting is delightful.
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When I first viewed this painting, I never guessed that it would be Peter Paul Rubens. I thought is was a more recent artist. I am grateful that I now know who/where Kallo is. I continue to learn.
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As we all continue to learn. I don’t know much about art, but Rubens I do know.
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I got similar information as Elisabeth from 1library.net. Strange that there isn’t much info about it! What a painter… Amazing composition. Thank you, my dear Rebecca!
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What I find interesting, Marina is that there are many website that offer a print of The Triumphal Chariot of Kallo for sale, but the story behind the painting and the artist was missing. Your posts always bring out the story! Many thanks and hugs coming back your way.
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I noticed that too! Strange, isn’t it?!
Likewise, my dearest friend!
Many more hugs your way!
xoxoxo
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Hi, Kallo is a village in Belgium: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallo
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Many thanks, Petre! Very much appreciated!🤗🤗🤗
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Here’s what I found: “In June 1638, Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand defeated the Dutch near Kallo (on the left bank of the Scheldt in Antwerp) and then, a few days later, he brought the French to their knees at St Omaars (now Saint-Omer). In commemoration of these events, Antwerp’s city council decided to add a ‘float’ in the annual Antwerp Ommegang or procession, and Rubens was commissioned to paint the ‘chariot’ to celebrate the first of the two victories.”
So Kallo is a place 😄
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Oh Elisabeth – this is fabulous information. Many thanks for solving the mystery of the Chariot of Kallo. I tried Greek, Norse and Roman mythology to no avail. I just found the “Battle of Kallo.” I continue to learn and learn and learn.
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I would not have guessed that it was a place either!
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