Occasio

The large-format painting ‘The Favourable Opportunity’ or ‘Occasio’ was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in several versions. At the centre is the victorious hero with armour and shield, who literally seizes the opportunity to make peace, as represented by a beautiful woman. The hero is led by Minerva, a goddess in a blue robe, who has placed her arm around his shoulders. The hero’s shield depicts the head of the Gorgon, emblem of Minerva. The hero is accompanied by a lion as the symbol of strength, Minerva by an owl. Chronos floats above everything as a symbol of time. The idea behind this is that there is always a right time to make political decisions, and this moment has to be grasped. Failure to do so can lead to negative consequences. The picture’s coded political message was certainly understood in the social circles in which Rubens moved.