| Peter Paul Rubens or Peter Rubens is perhaps the | | | | produce glorious works such as the 21 paintings |
| most famous name associated with the late | | | | series that depicted the life of Marie de Medicis. |
| sixteenth and early seventeenth century Flemish | | | | Anthony Van Dyck, Frank Synders, and Jacob |
| Baroque Art. The painter was born on June 28, 1577, | | | | Jordaeans were some of the artists who worked at |
| in Siegen, Westphalia. In 1578, his family came to | | | | his studio and later went about their own wars, |
| Cologne. In 1589, post his father's death, Rubens and | | | | carving a niche for themselves. Rubens was in Madrid |
| his mother came to Antwerp. Here he learnt | | | | in 1628-29 where he made friends with the painter |
| humanist courses in Latin and classical literature. After | | | | Diego Velazquez. In 1630, the artist came to London |
| the age of 14, the painter studied art under the | | | | via Antwerp. Rubens painted "Allegory of Peace and |
| Mannerists Adam van Noort and Otto van Veen. In | | | | War (1629) during the travel." After his first wife's |
| 1598, he joined the Guild of St. Luke as a master. | | | | death in 1630, the painter married 16-year-old |
| Peter travelled to Venice at the turn of the | | | | Hélène Fourment. She was the |
| seventeenth century and the beaming colors & | | | | inspiration behind the voluptuous figures in his |
| the majestic forms of Titian deeply influenced him. | | | | paintings such as "The Feast of Venus (1635)," "The |
| Rubens served as the Court Painter to the Duke of | | | | Three Graces (1636-38)," and "The Judgment of Paris |
| Mantua for eight years where he was exposed to | | | | (1638-39)." The painter is therefore considered the |
| the works of the other Italian Renaissance masters. | | | | inspiration behind the coining of the terms 'Rubensian' |
| The painter's work also took him to Rome in 1601, | | | | or 'Rubenesque.' The terms refer to the full-figured |
| where he painted altarpieces for the churches of | | | | women for whom the painter carried a soft corner in |
| Santa Croce di Gerusalemme and Chiesa Nuova. | | | | most of his paintings. Rubens executed an enormous |
| These were his first extensively recognized works of | | | | body of works that spanned to almost all the |
| geniuses. Rubens also learnt Greek and Roman art | | | | corners of the painting arena. |
| here. Until 1608, the painter kept hopping between | | | | In the later phase of his life, Rubens settled outside |
| Mantua, Genoa, and Rome in Italy. The death of his | | | | Antwerp where he spent much of his time painting |
| mother in 1608 brought him back to Antwerp. Here | | | | landscapes. The famous paintings titled "Chateau de |
| he soon became a leading artistic figure and was | | | | Steen with Hunter (1635-38)" and "Farmers Returning |
| appointed the Court Painter. In October 1609, the | | | | from the Fields (1635)" are some of his most |
| artist married Isabella Brant. | | | | magnificent works. Besides being a prodigal Baroque |
| Rubens was brought up as a devoted Roman | | | | painter, he was a well-educated person with a very |
| Catholic and his religious influence was quite evident | | | | refined taste in art as well as literature. He received |
| across his various paintings. These staunch religious | | | | an honorary degree of the Masters of Arts from |
| beliefs, gave his work a conformist look; but he | | | | Cambridge University in 1629. He was a fine diplomat, |
| made up for this conservative touch by adding | | | | knighted by both, Philip IV, the King of Spain (1624), |
| vibrant colors and movement to his paintings. A | | | | and Charles I, the king of England (1630), a feat not |
| typical example of Rubens' Baroque Art is "The | | | | many diplomats could achieve, let alone painters. |
| Raising of the Cross (1610)." His paintings in general, | | | | Owing to Gout, Rubens passed away on May 30, |
| exuded brilliance and glimmer. A beautiful example of | | | | 1640 at the age of 63 in Antwerp. He was survived |
| such work is titled "The Descent from the Cross | | | | by his wife and eight children. Though not around |
| (1611-14)," which is adorned with radiant colors and | | | | anymore, his paintings however, still have the same |
| movement. | | | | grandeur and distinction as they had hundreds of |
| In 1620s, the Baroque painter set up a workshop | | | | years ago. |
| where he painted and supervised qualified artists to | | | | |