Peter Paul Rubens

By Illa Vij

PETER PAUL RUBENS was a Flemish painter. His works express the ardour and enthusiasm of an extremely happy man. He began the study of art early in life and finally became a world famous painter. Rubens was born in 1577 in Siegen, Germany, where his father was living in exile. He was actually a native of Antwerp, then a part of The Netherlands.

When the family moved back to Antwerp, Peter Paul worked as a page in a noble family’s house. There he learned fine manners and graces. Since painting was his passion,he became an apprentice to other painters. Gradually his work gained recognition, and he got closer to perfection.

At the age of 23, Rubens set out for Italy. He worked in Venice for some time and then found a place for himself in Mantva. Here he became official painter to the court. He spent eight years in Italy. These were the most influential years of his career. They came to a close, with the death of his mother in 1608, when he returned to Antwerp.

Rulers of The Netherlands were highly impressed by his work, and he worked tirelessly for them. For the city’s Town Hall, he painted the magnificent "Adoration of the Magi" which included 28 life-size figures. He also painted "The descent from the cross" for the Antwerp cathedral. Around the age of 32 years, he married Isabella Brant, who was 14 years younger to him. They had three children. Together, they made a very happy family. After enjoying 17 years of married life, he lost his wife. Heart-broken, he wished to escape the grief. He took up a job as an Ambassador. Later, he became one of the ablest diplomats of his time.

In 1627, Ruben was entrusted with the task of negotiating peace between England and Spain.

In Madrid, he met Velosquez, another famous painter. In England, he received an honorary degree from Cambridge and was knighted.

Rubens success as a painter and the wealth that he gained did not make him proud. Unspoilt by success, he was orderly in his habits. he got up every day at 4 a.m. and attended early mass, before beginning his work. While he painted, he carefully listened to a boy, who read to him from Tacitus or Plutarch. He usually ate vegetables, as he felt that meat was not good for creative minds. In the evening, after work, he would take his horse and ride down to the outskirts of Antwerp. He enjoyed meeting people and was known for his kind hospitality. As an immensely talented artist, rather a genuis, he always painted at a great speed, without having the need to correct his work. It is believed that he completed ‘The Adoration of the Magi,’ in just six days. His paintings included portraits, nudes, landscapes, hunting scenes and serene interiors. His religious paintings are amongst the most admired. If you happen to see Christ on the Cross, Christ descending or Christ pierced by the Roman lance, you will almost feel the pain and suffering portrayed. The eyes, the lips, the posture of the head, the collapse of the body are extremely realistic and the entire scene comes alive. Even while on his tours as an ambassador, he continued to paint.

Four years after having lost his first wife, Rubens remarried. He married a 16-year-old girl, Helena Fourment, by whom he had five children. She posed for many of his paintings, which included portraits and religious and mythological pictures.

As he grew older and the work load increased, Rubens found it difficult to manage it all by himself. He kept assistants to work for him, and he would finally give the finishing touches. His assistants too were gifted artists. In the later years of life, he developed gout which crippled his hands. But his painting continued to be as remarkable as ever. The vivid colours of his works and sweep of lines have enriched the world. He died on May 30, 1640.

These are few of Rubens well-known paintings:

Ruben painted many versions of adoration of kings.
History of Marie de’ Medici
The Procession of Silenus
The Judgement of Paris.
The Three Guests
The Garden of Love.
Venus and Adonis.
Le Chapeau de Paille.