Mars, God of War.

(Mars image from a larger painting by Lew Ayres of Mars (left) and Venus (right)

This image came from a time when my father was still emerging from the Second World war.  The later work that comes to mind: "the Dilemma of a Non-Intrusive God" (painted wood sculpture, relief, c. 1980) depicted nuclear warheads.  this has an element of that 1930's or 1940's art style: "American Scene Painting" a depiction of early 20th century technology.  The armored figure depicted Mars himself, and is reminiscent of a similar armored figure that Lew photographed in his Altars of the World documentary.

As noted I believe the painting was inspired in part by themes from Holst's Planets Suite: Mars.