Monday, August 17, 2015

Rubens's Rubenses

Peter Paul Rubens
St. George & the Dragon
c. 1606-08
Prado

These paintings  a group of exceptional magnificence, even by the heroic standard of Peter Paul Rubens – remained in the artist's Antwerp studio at the time of his death in 1640. Rubens had retained them, some as workshop models, others apparently as personal favorites. All were purchased from the painter's heirs by agents for Philip IV of Spain – and for that reason all are now hanging together in the Prado. If Rubens had died a few years earlier, Charles I might have tried to compete for these pictures, but by 1640 English politics were too grim and threatening to permit any further art collecting on the part of the English King.

Peter Paul Rubens
Nymphs & Satyrs
1615 & 1638
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Dance of Satyrs & Villagers
1635-40
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Atalanta & Meleager Pursuing the Calydonian Boar
c. 1635-36
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Holy Family & Saints
c. 1630
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
The Three Graces
c. 1630-35
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Marie de Medici, Queen of France
c. 1622
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Anne of Austria, Queen of France
c. 1622
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
The Supper at Emmaus
c. 1635-40
Prado