The brilliant Flemish painter Peter Rubens was famous for his hard work, talent and inimitable style of painting. The huge demand for his paintings during his lifetime forced the artist to open a huge creative workshop. Such eminent masters as Van Dyck and Sneijders worked and studied for him. Rubens made sketches, made sketches, planned the composition, and all the rough work was done by apprentices, the master himself finished the paintings. Rubens was famous for the dynamism of his paintings and the special style of writing human textures in the nude style. Rubens paintings are in the most honorable places of many museums on the planet. It's time to learn about some of them in more detail.
The most famous and popular paintings by Rubens:
1
Beating the innocent (Beating the babies) (oil, canvas size 142 × 182 cm). 1610
After traveling to Italy in 1607–1608, inspired by the works of Renaissance masters, Peter Rubens wrote a series of grandiose works on biblical themes. One of the masterpieces of this series is the stunning painting "Beating the Innocent." This is the most powerful in dynamism and tragedy depiction of the biblical story of the beating of infants by order of King Herod.
Merciless warriors with swords literally tear apart unfortunate children. Mothers try to resist, but to no avail. The streets of the city are strewn with corpses of children. Protecting her daughter and grandson, an elderly woman grabbed a sharp sword with her bare hands, but the murderer’s dirty bloody hand grabbed her face and throws her to the ground. It is impossible to look at this picture without a shudder. Peter Rubens showed all the horror and craziness of this terrible event.
2
The patronage of the Roman woman (oil, canvas 140 × 180 cm). 1612
The plot of this picture is gleaned from ancient texts. The legend of the act of the faithful daughter Perot is taken as the basis. Once in prison, old Cimon went hungry, and in order to save her father, her daughter got into the dungeon and fed him with her breast milk. It so struck and touched the jailers that the old man was released, and his daughter was pardoned.
Rubens could not get past such a plot, and the result of his labors was a canvas that was magnificent in color and composition. Bright scarlet dress Feather symbolizes life and mercy.
Thanks to Empress Catherine II, who bought the canvas of Rubens during her reign, this masterpiece is kept in the State Hermitage Museum.
3
Four sketches of the head of the moor
This sketch, not quite usual for Rubens, was considered controversial for a long time. His authorship was attributed to Van Dyck, but after most experts concluded that this sketch still belongs to Rubens.
4
Venus in front of the mirror (oil, wood, 124 × 98 cm). 1615
A gorgeous blond beauty makes the morning toilet, turning her back to the viewer. Her face is reflected in the mirror that holds the chubby Cupid. A dark-skinned servant combs Venus's long silky hair. They flow down in golden streams down the handmaid's hands. Everything is magnificent in this picture: both impeccable composition and color. But most of all, she admires the masterfully written naked body of the goddess. It seems to radiate light. The artist always tried to convey the beauty of the female body as real as possible. Magnificent relief forms allowed the artist to play with chiaroscuro, use a lot of shades of warm and cold tones, as a result of which, one cannot help but admire the curvature of the back and the milky tenderness of the beauty's skin.
5
Daniel in a pit with lions. 1616
The Old Testament book of Daniel tells how the biblical hero was condemned to spend the night in the lion's den for worshiping God, and not to the Persian king Darius. Here is the next morning, when Daniel thanks God that he survived the night safely. For theologians, the image of Daniel, freed from the cave, symbolized the resurrection of Christ from the tomb.
By the way, you can find out about the most beautiful caves in the world on the pages of our site most-beauty.ru.
Rubens masterfully combined realism and theatricality to have a strong emotional effect. For example, several lions look directly at the viewer, creating the assumption that the viewer is in the same space as the lions, and therefore, like Daniel, experiences the same threat as wild predators. This immediacy is reinforced by the fact that the animals are depicted in full size on a huge canvas and depicted with convincing realism. This truthfulness is complemented by dramatic lighting and the exaggerated emotionality of the prayer pose of Daniel.
6
An old woman and a boy with candles. 1617
The picture shows an old woman looking forward. She covers her eyes from the candlelight. A boy standing a little behind her brought his candle to light it. The panel is painted in the style of Caravaggio, whose work Rubens saw in Italy. This style is characterized by the exciting effects of light and naturalism.
Rubens did not paint this picture for sale. He probably used it as educational material for students in his workshop.
7
The abduction of the daughters of Leucippus (oil, canvas, 224 × 211 cm). 1618
Peter Rubens was famous for depicting a vibrant human body. The painting "The Abduction of Leucippus' Daughters" is a vivid example of Baroque painting. The plot from ancient Greek mythology tells about the abduction of two young virgins by the sons of Zeus and Leda. Powerful figures of beautiful and tanned young men in military armor contrast with the naked bodies of blond girls. The dynamism of actions is emphasized by the spectacular poses of heroes and horses. Eight figures are woven into a single, powerful, circular composition, which is inscribed in a square. Sly Cupids holding their horses in check reinforce the purpose of kidnapping beauties. Rubens admires his heroes, and recalls that beauty and love rule the world.
8
Portrait of Clara Serena Rubens (oil, 37 × 27 cm). 1618
Peter Rubens painted his eldest and beloved daughter Clara very often. Her chiseled face can be recognized in many of the artist's paintings. This portrait is very small, warm, it depicts a cute, ruddy child with a naughty lock of hair. A delicate face is carefully painted with transparent strokes, and light brown hair and a dark background are masterfully painted with wide, sweeping strokes. The barely marked white Dutch collar sets off the face and emphasizes the charm of the girl.
9
Union of Earth and Water (oil, canvas 222 × 180 cm). 1618
This allegorical monumental painting was written in honor of a historical event - the long-awaited lifting of the siege of Holland and the country's access to the sea. Modern art historians explain this allegory as a union of two elements and principles - Earth and Water, Women and Men. This union is eternal, and no one can exist without the other. The compositional solution of the picture is built on the principle of a pyramid. The goddess representing the Earth is a bright bright spot in the picture. The formidable Neptune representing Water is holding her hand. He turned to face the goddess, and his back to the viewer. The powerful muscles of a tanned back play under the influence of light and shadow. At the bottom of the canvas, at the feet of the Earth and Water, newts splash and announce this event, blowing into sea shells.
10
Perseus and Andromeda (oil, oil 99 × 139 cm). 1622
The State Hermitage has a truly unique masterpiece by Peter Rubens, Perseus and Andromeda. This picture depicts the climax of Perseus' feat when he had already killed the monster and freed the beautiful Andromeda. Andromeda is depicted naked, in the famous "Rubens" style. Her magnificent, magnificent body as if shines against a dark background. Perseus reaches out from the darkness to her, followed by his winged horse Pegasus. The defeated monster, opening its mouth, lies at the feet of the hero. In the hands of Perseus is a shield with the head of the Gorgon. It was she who helped Perseus topple the monster.
Rubens mastery is visible in the smallest detail. Wavy strokes on the horse’s croup create a shape and give the skin a natural look. Gorgon's insane facial expression adds drama to the picture. The impeccable hero in Roman armor is awarded with the laurel wreath by the very goddess of victory, Nika. Joyous Cupids scurry around at the feet of the heroes, and the delicate blush on Andromeda's cheeks portends feelings of nascent love.
11
Three graces (oil, wood 221 × 181 cm). 1623
One of the most famous paintings “Three Graces” does not cease to amaze our contemporaries, because according to modern ideas, graces should be elegant, airy and impeccable. Rubens depicts women according to the canons and the idea of the beauty of his time - real, from blood and flesh, as the Lord created them. Rubens was a believer, and believed that there was nothing wrong with portraying the nakedness of the human body. The nudity of graces is absolutely devoid of vulgarity, but erotic and beautiful. Precisely because the magnificent body has extraordinary picturesqueness, Rubens wrote with great pleasure a little plump women, and admired every dimple and fold on their divine bodies. This picture is a real hymn to a woman.
Rubens never parted with this picture, and only after his death was it bought by the Spanish king Philip IV. It is a pity that most-beauty cannot show you this work without a puzzle in some places, because really, there is nothing indecent here. But obligations to partners make us cover up all the beauty of a naked body.
12
Sister Susanna. 1622–1625
The portrait of Suzanne Lunden, titled The Straw Hat, is a painting by Peter Paul Rubens, located at the National Gallery of London. It was probably written between 1622–1625.
The woman in the portrait was not reliably identified, but she could very likely be Susanne Landen, who was the older sister of Rubens' future second wife, Helena Furment. If the identification is correct, the portrait probably dates back to Suzanne’s wedding with her second husband, Arnold Lunden, in 1622.
13
Portrait of the chambermaid of the Infanta Isabella (oil, wood 63.5 × 47.8 cm). 1626
An elegant portrait of the chambermaid of the Infanta of the Spanish courtyard is made on a small wooden board. Presumably, the painting depicts the daughter of the artist Klara Eugene. The white corrugated collar in Spanish fashion refreshes the face of a girl who is depicted against a dark background. The portrait is made using glaze technique, when the previous layer is visible through the transparent upper strokes. The tender face of the girl is romantic and thoughtful, and the flirty curl is knocked out of a strict hairstyle. This curl is recognizable in all portraits of the artist's daughter.
14
Portrait of Isabella Brant (oil on canvas 86 × 62 cm). 1626
Rubens possessed the unique qualities of a psychologist, which is very important for the artist. Slim, attentive as a portrait painter, Rubens was magnificent. The portrait of Isabella Brant, the artist’s wife, was made shortly before her death. He is full of love and tenderness for his girlfriend and beloved woman. There is no hint of a near demise, although the disease has already crept up to Isabella. She is depicted young and attractive, with an alluring smile. Only the prayer book in her hands tells about the approaching death.
15
Hagar in the desert. After 1630
The story of Hagar is told in Genesis, Chapter 21. Hagar was the Egyptian slave of Abraham, with whom they had a son, Ishmael. Abraham's wife was jealous and asked her husband to drive them into the wilderness. There they were miraculously saved from death from thirst.
The model is probably the second wife of Rubens Helena Furment. Despite the Old Testament setting, Frument is dressed and combed in the fashion of Flanders in the 1630s, which makes this picture an ambiguous game between portrait and biblical history.
16
Saturn devouring his son. 1636
A terrible picture of Rubens depicting Saturn (Kronos in Greek mythology), devouring his son, causes a spectator horror and real horror. According to legend, Saturn was prophesied death at the hands of his son, since then he devoured each of his offspring. The artist seemed to find an ancient god behind this occupation. The distorted face of the baby from the terrible bite of its parent exudes pain, and it seems that his cry is heard. The reality of what is happening, the greenish-blue tones of the picture make it truly scary, from which goosebumps run. Only a true master can cause such a feeling in the viewer from the picture.
17
Landscape with a rainbow (oil, 151 × 384 cm). 1638
Among the grandiose paintings, Rubens has beautiful landscapes that only emphasize the versatility of the artist. The landscape with a rainbow was painted in the last years of the artist's life, when he could already afford to refuse large-scale orders and write in pleasure. Huge open spaces with forests and fields extending into the distance, capture the entire four-meter canvas. In the foreground is a herd of cows peacefully grazing; peasants are engaged in their everyday harvesting business. A rural idyll after rain is emphasized by a rainbow spreading all over the sky. The magic and radiance of the clouds make the sky fantastically beautiful. The rainbow illuminates the tops of the trees with warm light, geese splashing in the rivulet near the forest. After living in the city, Rubens' rural life brought calm and tranquility to his work.
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18
Last self portrait
The composition is dominated by dark tones. The face, arm and collar are the only bright accents in this picture. Although Rubens was raised by the Spanish nobility and knighted by the king of England, his decision to present himself as a member of the aristocracy, however, is surprising: he repeatedly distanced himself from life at court. In the last years of his life, he was largely relieved of his duties as a courtier and diplomat, dividing his time between his city residence in Antwerp and the suburban castle near Elewait.
Afterword
Rubens skill was widely known during the life of the artist. His fame boomed throughout Europe. But, a huge number of works did not make the artist an ordinary artisan. Each of his creations is imbued with a love of painting and is a true masterpiece of fine art. We tried to write about the most beautiful works of Peter Paul Rubens, but this turned out to be an impossible task. This Dutch painter throughout his life painted a huge number of different paintings, each of which has its own beauty, history. Below we will post several more of his paintings without a description, but this is only the tip of the iceberg ...
More paintings by Rubens:
Saint Domitilla, supported by Saint Nereus and Saint Achilles of Rome. 1608
Adoration of the Magi. 1609
Exaltation of the Cross. 1610
Samson and Delilah. 1610
Chained Prometheus. 1612
Descent from the cross. 1614
Head of jellyfish. 1617–1618
Two satyrs. 1619
The fall of the damned. 1620
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 1626
Minerva protects the world from Mars. 1929–1930
Garden of love. 1633
Autumn landscape overlooking the castle of Steen. 1636
The consequences of the war. 1639
On this our article came to an end. The editors of most-beauty.ru are waiting for your comments about this great artist. Write to us how you feel about his work and which Rubens paintings you like best.