English translation:
Article #3 – Flemish Masters: The Life and Work of Peter Paul Rubens
After introducing you to the Dutch Masters Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn in the past two articles, it is now time to turn our gaze to another Dutch language area, namely: Flanders. Many world-famous painters who have contributed a lot to art also come from this area. Today, in this article, I take you on through a journey of the life and work of Peter Paul Rubens.
The life of Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens was born in 1577 in Siegen, Germany, into a Flemish family that had fled to Germany for religious reasons. Rubens lost his father at the age of ten. He returned to Antwerp two years later with his mother, sister and brother. Rubens was educated together with his brother at the Latin school in Antwerp. In 1593, Rubens started his artistic training with the painter Tobias Verhaecht. Later, he apprenticed with two other painters, Adam van Noort and Otto van Veen. Within 5 years of starting his training, he became a master painter and took on his first students.
Between 1600 and 1608, Rubens worked and lived in Spain and Italy for several years. Here, he copied works by famous painters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. This time greatly influenced his painting style. In 1609, Rubens became court painter to Archdukes Albrecht of Austria and Isabella of Spain. From then on, he was very wealthy and had the financial resources to build a large villa in the center of Antwerp. This villa is now a museum called the 'Rubens House'. In his later years, Rubens became a diplomat in addition to a painter and travelled through many European countries. After a very successful art and diplomacy career, Rubens died in 1640 from gout.
The work of Rubens
Rubens' painting style belongs to the Baroque and Antwerp School art style from the early 17th century. Baroque has its origins in Italy and is characterised by dramatic effects, strong contrasts between light and dark, a lot of emotion and extreme realism.
One of Ruben's most famous works is 'The Fall of Phaeton', which you can see in the image below. This piece is based on Greek mythology, and you can clearly see the dramatic Baroque style in it.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Another well-known work by Rubens emerged from a collaboration with another famous Flemish master painter, Jan Brueghel the Elder. The piece in the image below is called 'The earthly paradise with the fall of Adam and Eve'. The interesting thing about this work is that the best of both painters can clearly be seen in this painting. Rubens painted the people, the tree, the horse and the snake. And Breughel the plants and other animals.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Would you like to discuss the artist's life or work further? You’re very welcome to exchange ideas with us here. Do you have a tip for the next artist in this series? Let us know too!