The Rape of the Sabine Women is a painting by Peter Paul Rubens.It was commissioned by Philip IV of Spain in 1639 but was still incomplete on Rubens' death a year later.It was completed by the Brussels painter Gaspar de Crayer.Another version of this painting is now held by the National Gallery, London.[1] The painting depicts the Rape of the Sabine Women from the mythological and historical era of ancient Rome when it was ruled by the first king Romulus.