Fun Facts: Peter Paul Rubens 1577 - 1640
The Three Graces, Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Venus with a Mirror (After Titian), Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In honor of the anniversary of Ruben’s upcoming birthday in June, I wanted to share some fun facts about the life and work of this remarkably talented artist.
Rubens was born in Siegen Germany.
He began training as an artist at 13.
For eight years he travelled and worked in Spain.
At the age of 33 in Antwerp, he was appointed the court painter to the rulers of the Netherlands.
His major business was altarpieces, which suited him well because he liked to work on a large scale.
He lost his wife to the plague in 1625 in Antwerp and he was devastated.
He began working on several commissions for Charles I, including the ceiling of the banqueting house at Whitehall.
Rubens became involved in politics with governor/consort, Isabella, and worked as a representative of the Netherlands.
He became Isabella’s close confidante and she valued his advice.
He also received a patent of nobility, which boosted is social status and also became a ‘gentleman of the household.’
After tiring of politics, he returned to Antwerp to see his children and dedicated himself to his work.
One of his most important patrons was King Philip IV of Spain, who commissioned more than 80 paintings.
At 53, he married Hélène Fourment and she was featured in many portraits, as Venus in a version of the ‘The Judgement of Paris’
In his final years, he spent a lot of time with his children in his country house, Chateau de Steen, and painted landscapes not to sell, but for himself.
He suffered for many years with gout and after a bad attack, which left him unable to paint, he died in 1640.
Source: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
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Copyright 2023 Tim Bovey.