Peter Paul Rubens (June 28th, 65438+0577—1May 30th, 640), Christian name Peter Paul Rubins,17th century Flemish painter, diplomatic envoy of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain. Rubens, a Flemish painter, is a representative of the early Baroque school.

Rubens was born in Siegen, Germany. After his father died, Rubens, aged 12, followed his mother back to Antwerp, his hometown under Spanish rule, where he was baptized by Catholicism. Religion became a very important theme in Rubens' career as a painter.

Chinese name: Peter Paul Rubens.

Peter Paul Rubens

Nationality: Belgium

Ethnic group: Flemish

Place of birth: Siegen, Germany

Date of birth:1June 28, 577

Date of death:1May 30, 640

Occupation: painter

Faith: Catholicism

Main achievements: representative figures of baroque art

Spanish ambassador abroad

Masterpieces: The Battle of Amaron, Snatching the Daughter of Ruypas, and Three Beauties.

The life of the character

one's early years

Peter Paul Rubens was born on June 28th, 577 in Siegen, Germany. The specific date of birth can only be found on the copper plate published nine years after his death. The source is questionable, probably because June 29th is the anniversary of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Rubens studied in vonRumoldusVerdonck, a Latin school, and was able to read the original works of ancient Greece and Rome. I also worked as a waitress in a countess's house, so I had the opportunity to receive orthodox aristocratic education, understand the customs and habits of the upper class, learn to deal with people, and be proficient in many languages.

1592, I began to learn painting under the arrangement of my mother. He studied under the landscape painter Wilhashit, the versatile painters Adam Van Nolte and Otto Van Veen Wayne for four years, laid a solid foundation for painting, and soon became a disciple of Vinius who returned from Rome, which benefited Rubens a lot and made him young and promising.

1598, after completing his studies, he joined Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp and became a formal painter.

Father Jan Rubens (1530- 1587) is a jurist and jury member in Antwerp and was educated in Italy. He had six children with his wife Maria and went into exile in Germany after converting to Protestantism to escape persecution. The whole family temporarily lived in Siegen, and 1578 moved to Cologne.

1587 After Jane Rubens died, 12-year-old Peter Paul Rubens followed his mother back to Antwerp, his hometown under Spanish rule, where he was baptized by Catholicism. Since then, he has never changed his beliefs, and religion has become a very important theme in his career as a painter.

Lose Italy

1600, Rubens went to Italy for further study, and soon got the favor of gonzaga, Duke of Mantova. He was waiting to write to the court, so he was destined to see the secret collection. Rubens did not intend to die in Mantova, so he spent time visiting all parts of Italy, especially Rome, Florence and Genoa.

In Rome, Rubens studied Roman sculptures and paintings in the heyday of the Renaissance with unremitting enthusiasm, especially Raphael Sans and Michelangelo. In view of the fact that many of the masterpieces of these two masters are wet murals, this experience is irreplaceable anywhere, which can be called the perfect ending of their painter's study.

From 160 1 to 1602, during his first visit to the Vatican, he painted three altars for the Holy Cross Temple in Jerusalem (the existing hospital in Grasse).

1603, the duke sent Rubens to Spain, during which he completed the masterpiece "The Duke of Lema Riding a Horse", which is now in the Prado Museum. The painter also looked at the Spanish royal collection, including a large number of Titian Vecellio's oil paintings.

1At the end of 605, Rubens visited Rome again and planned to stay here for three years. He was commissioned to create an altar painting for the main altar of the new Roman church (also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Valley), which is a great honor for foreigners. In its first draft, the Virgin Mary, the Son, the Saint's Eve and other saints were accommodated. However, due to the poor light in the church, the meticulous characterization lost its luster, and the painter replaced it with three slate paintings. The manuscript is now in the museum in Grenoble, France.

1608+00 Before the altar was unveiled in June, the bad news came that my mother was seriously ill. Rubens immediately set off for Antwerp, but he never set foot on Italian soil again.

Return to Antwerp

1609, Rubens returned to Flanders and began to serve Archduke Alberto and his wife Isabel Clara Eugenia. The Grand Duke and his wife ordered paintings from him, which also provided him with some opportunities to join diplomatic missions. His own cultural knowledge, political ability and reputation as an artist enable him to express himself freely in some subtle situations. He moved to Spain twice in 1603 and 1628 respectively, and also settled in Britain and France. These experiences help to expand his popularity and promote the wide spread of his works. At the same time, he can appreciate different kinds of paintings and help him form his own unique Baroque style and apply it to his works. Collectors rushed to snap up Rubens' works, which also filled the lives of European aristocrats and Catholic priests and had a far-reaching impact on the aesthetic style at that time. Paintings, especially prints, drawn by the painter himself or with the assistance of the studio fully show Rubens' unique artistic charm in art and have won him a wide reputation in distant countries, including the American continent.

1608, he returned to Antwerp and became a court painter of Isabella, the ruler of Flanders, and soon married Brent, the daughter of a humanist and famous lawyer. The painter painted many famous portraits for his wife and lived a luxurious and stable life. This stable life made the painter devote himself to active creation and gradually formed his own unique artistic style. He pays special attention to structures with a sense of rotational movement to express exciting scenes. He is good at using contrasting colors, strong light and dark and flowing lines to enhance the sense of movement in this picture. During this period, a number of oil paintings with religious and mythical themes appeared, such as Resurrection, Love Garden, Robbery of Lesipus' Daughter and Doomsday Judgment. Their free and easy brushwork and strong sense of wholeness indicate that their artistic creation has entered a peak stage. It is characterized by combining the superb skills and humanistic thoughts of Renaissance art with the ancient national art tradition of Flanders, forming a unique style of magnificent, colorful and athletic enthusiasm to praise the joy of life and becoming a representative figure of Baroque art.

Famous in Europe

From 162 1 to 1630, Rubens was appointed by the Spanish royal family to visit many European countries for diplomatic work, among which the most famous achievement was the successful establishment of friendly relations between Spain and Britain. For this reason, he was knighted by Charles I and made a zenith painting called Blessing Peace for Whitehall in London. Rubens himself obviously likes this kind of diplomatic work. He once commented: "Painting is my profession, and being an ambassador is my hobby."

Old age life

From 1630 to 1640, he entered the old age, and his fingers became deformed due to rheumatism, but he still insisted on painting. A number of excellent landscape paintings and portraits are more bold and unrestrained in color and brushwork. Although most of his paintings have to be completed with the help of assistants and students, it can still be seen that his paintings have entered a new stage of development in the later period.

Character character

In life, Rubens is a cheerful, outgoing, easy-going, detached, highly educated and talkative person. He has amazing and vigorous energy, which is not only reflected in his painting creation, but also enables him to participate in many other activities while devoting himself to painting art.

His original paintings are still not completely divorced from the grandiose and artificial style of his youth; During his trip to Italy, he copied the works of many masters and imitated their painting styles, and gradually learned an ancient Italian innovative artistic tendency, but until now, he is still wandering on the right road. But the rich accumulation in life has cast his strong personality. This kind of realistic personality originated in Flanders, and it incorporated his rare creativity and rich imagination, which was reflected in his baroque painting language. It is precisely because of the interaction of these factors that he created a vibrant and shining artistic expression in his works, which not only catered to the anti-reform taste of the Catholic church, but also met the needs of the heroic complex of European princes and ministers.

representative works

Go to the cross

Put on a cross, erect a cross

Formerly known as Dekruisoprichting (Dutch), L'ErectiondelaCroix (French).

Time1609 ——1610

Technique wood oil painting

The size is 460× 340cm, and the wing guards are 460× 150cm.

Classified altar painting, the central part of the triple picture

Collection of Notre Dame Cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium

Coded Bible Gospel, New Testament. In order to emphasize conflict and movement, diagonal composition, also known as death diagonal, is used from the upper left corner to the lower right corner to deepen the tragic meaning. The strong light came from the lower right, and the executed soldiers appeared in the opposite direction to the strong light. The instrument of torture that Jesus was crucified was erected from the bottom right to the top left of the picture. This cross looks heavy. The executioners were very nervous. A soldier on the right is holding the rope tightly, and the executioner on the left is holding the cross, and his muscles seem to burst. But Jesus on the cross showed a firm expression and no painful expression on his face. He raised his eyes and squinted at the sky, highlighting a heroic spiritual strength. Jesus was in contrast with a group of thugs who later executed the death penalty.

Influenced by the Venetian School, the painter weakened the historical details. The clothes of the characters are not traditional medieval robes, nor are they reference to the ancient shapes on cultural relics, but are simplified into cloth that almost wraps the body.

Rubens is very good at adding some vivid landscape details to this kind of paintings. On the upper right of the tree, the leaves seem to be shaken by the strong wind, but in contrast, a poodle with a big mouth is painted in the lower left corner. The whole painting is in a whirlwind of passion. These pictures remind us of some photos of Tintoretto. The traditional colors and strokes in this painting set off the Italian style. Therefore, although it reveals the artistic conception of Venice, it has already shown Rubens' personality characteristics. Especially in the modeling structure, he devoted himself to his own modeling style.

Put down the cross

Take off the cross and the Eucharist.

Formerly known as Dekruisafneming (Dutch), LaDescentedeCroix (French)

Time1611-1614

Technique wood oil painting

The size is 42 1×3 1 1 cm, and there are 42 1× 153 cm guard plates on both sides.

Classified altar painting, the central part of the triple picture

Collection of Notre Dame Cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium

The Bible New Testament Dou Fuyin was published: In the evening, a rich man from Arimathea came. His name was Yue Se, and he was also a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Yue Se took Jesus' body, wrapped it in white cloth and put it in a new tomb dug for himself in a stone. Another big stone was rolled to the grave and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting opposite the tomb.

The body of Christ is at the top of the central bright area. The old man held a piece of cloth in his mouth and took Christ's arm. He is a disciple of Joseph. The man in red who inherits the blood of Christ's remains is St. John, and the corresponding bearded old man is St. Peter; It was the virgin Mary who raised her hand and threw herself at Christ, and it was Mary Magdalene who held Christ's feet devoutly and enthusiastically.

Rubens created the same altar painting "Lower Cross" after the completion of "Upper Cross", but the style changed greatly. The painter uses the Caravaggio spotlight method with strong contrast between light and shade to arrange the picture, and the characters are arranged diagonally. In this painting, there is no fierce character action, no strong passion, only pious love and deep sadness. The characters in the painting are surrounded by darkness and immersed in infinite sadness, as if the mountains and rivers are also mourning and sobbing for the death of Christ.

Stewed Assorted Delicacies

Translated into the old Jan Brueghel family.

Formerly known as FamilyofJanBruegheltheElder (English)

Time1613-1615

Technique wood oil painting

Size125.1× 95.2cm.

Classified portrait

Collection of London Courtyard Gallery, UK

Old Jan Brueghel is a good friend and partner of the painter, so he paints with great care. Bruegel's family members are well dressed, and their two children are also dressed in formal clothes, which is quite gorgeous, indicating that they belong to the wealthy class in Antwerp. Bruegel's second wife, catherina, is in the center, and her two children, Peter and Elizabeth, gather around her. Peter is fiddling with his mother's bracelet, which should be an engagement gift he received when he got married. Old Jan Brueghel stood behind the three men, showing a guard posture, watching his family and audience with gentle eyes.

Rubens didn't even hint at the identity of the painter old Jan Brueghel, but focused on showing the close ties of family members. This kind of warm atmosphere is very rare for painters, except painting their own homes.

Battle of Amalon

Battle of Amalon

Formerly known as DieAmazonenschlacht (German)

The time is about 16 18.

Technique wood oil painting

Size 12 1× 165cm.

Classification myth

Collection of Old Paintings in Munich, Germany

Plutarch's Who's Who in Greece and Rome: The painter described a mythical war scene, which was caused by the love between the hero theseus and the queen Hippolyta. The two teams met in a narrow way on the bridge, and the fighting was extremely fierce.

Theseus, the hero, came to Noi, krum, Asia, met Hippolyta, the queen of Amazon warrior, and proposed to her. The hero took her home after marriage. This aroused the dissatisfaction of Amazon women warriors and sent troops to attack Greece, invincible all the way. At that time, theseus wanted to destroy the minotaur in the maze of Crete until he learned that he had arrived in Athens, and the women of Amarion were about to arrive in Athens. Theseus immediately led the army to meet them. The two sides fought a bloody battle on the bridge over the Don River in Telmo: Amarjon fought desperately to keep his flag, and the Greek army rushed from the left bridge, which was unstoppable. There is a thrilling picture of traveling on the bridge. The colors on the painting are flowing, the lines are flying, and everything is in a tragic killing storm. Through the scene of fierce fighting between the enemy and ourselves, the painter set off the heroic act of winning the military flag. Although Amaron is at a disadvantage, he still shows unshakable will to fight. On the right, there are already runaway wild horses and Amarjon soldiers rolling down, giving people a strong sense of movement. The whole painting is gripping and thrilling. The overall movement of the picture is like a whirlwind, rolling tightly to the right side of the bridge. The figures are hierarchical, and all shapes are subject to a continuous movement. The passion of color expression reached the highest point. Some researchers think that Rubens was influenced by Da Vinci's The Battle of Angalli or Titian's The Battle of Kaida, which is inaccurate. Rubens had never seen those two paintings, and even if he could see them at that time, they could only be copies or sketches. To learn from the ideas of our predecessors, at most, it is a battle to win the flag on the bridge. As far as the general idea of Rubens' painting is concerned, he did not imitate the actions of his predecessors. With skillful realistic skills, the painter vividly echoes the lines and colors and is original.

Rob the daughter of Liusipas.

Rob the daughter of Liusipas.

Formerly RaubderT_chterdesLeukippos (German)

The time is about 16 18.

Oil painting technique

Size 224× 210.5cm.

Classification myth

Collection of Old Paintings in Munich, Germany

Ovid's Metamorphosis is published: castel and Polokus, the heroes of ancient Greek mythology, are the sons of Tindarius and Rita, collectively known as Dioscuri, which means that they were born in the same child. In fact, Prokus is the son of Rita and Zeus. They are brave and invincible, one is good at riding horses and the other is good at fighting. This picture depicts the traditional "wedding robbery" scene: castel and Polokus, two strong dark men, snatched their two daughters from their sleep in Xipas and were about to forcibly pull them onto the horse. People and horses occupy the whole space of the picture, and the staggered movement of two horses and two pairs of men and women gives people a strong sense of movement. Horseheads, hands, feet and feet spread out to the four corners, which is both violent and full of joy. Whether this custom shows the will of both sides or the hostility of both sides is not important to the painter Rubens. He is concerned about the color contrast between the body and the horse, and he is concerned about the violent scenes like traveling. This dynamic color, the movement of lines and the texture of nudity create a fanatical color symphony. The almost square composition was originally stable, but the image formed an X-shape, but it also constituted an extremely unstable turmoil. In the left corner of the picture, the painter added a little love god with wings, which gave the whole picture a hint: this is a kind of love violence.

Marie de Medicis's paintings

The Life of Marie de Medicis (French: CycledeMariedeMédicis) is a set of paintings created by Rubens for Marie de Medicis in 1622. It was used to decorate the Luxembourg Palace, and there were several huge oil paintings in it.

Translation1600165438+1On October 3rd, the Queen visited Marseille.

Formerly known as lede barquementdelareneà Marseille, le3novembre 1600 (French)

Time1622 ——1625

Oil painting technique

Size 394×295 cm

Classified portrait, history

The Louvre Collection in Paris, France

Also known as "Marie de Medicis Arrives in Marseille", the painter depicts in this vertical painting that Queen Mary's palace boat has just arrived in Marseille Port, and she is ready to accept the highest French etiquette. At this time, a girl wearing a helmet of A Dai stood at the bow and stretched out her arms to the Queen in the solemn costume of ancient Rome, indicating that France was welcoming her. Under the luxurious palace boat, there are many sea fairies trying their best to pull the rope to make this fantastic palace boat close to the port shore. In order to make the picture full of beauty, the painter not only deliberately depicted the queen in full dress and the French girl on the boat, but also painted some beautiful fairies on the underside of the boat. The charm of the body strengthens the mythical color of the picture, and at the same time, many angels are painted in the sky to welcome the guests. These fairies are called Nieduan Ides. They are more than fifty daughters born to nereus and dorris. These fairies specialize in rescuing ships in distress at sea. In addition, they also symbolize optimism and singing and dancing. These fairies in thin clothes are surrounded by several sea monsters.

Henry IV was deified and Marie de Medicis declared regency.

Translation name 16 10 may 14 Henry iv was deified and Marie de Medicis declared regency.

Formerly known as L 'Apotheé osedehenriivetlaplaciondelaré gence Marie Demé dicis, le14mai1610 (French).

Time1622 ——1625

Oil painting technique

Size 394×727 cm

Classified portrait, history

The Louvre Collection in Paris, France

Grace/Calit family

Translated into three goddesses and three beautiful gods.

Formerly known as LastresGracias (Spanish)

Time1630 ——1635

Technique wood oil painting

Size 220.5× 182 cm

Classification myth

Collection of Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain

This work was held by the painter himself until his death, and was acquired by Philip IV and collected by the Spanish Habsburg dynasty. Hesiod's "Divine Spectrum" has been compiled: three graces are Aglae Ya representing light, Overohini representing joy and Talia representing flowers. The three goddesses born by Zeus are all saints. They live with the gods, serve the banquet and create the joy of life. They will never get tired of serving Aphrodite, the god of love. The goddess is located next to a fountain decorated with garlands. Her face is comely, her body is strong and full of vitality, which embodies the ideal female beauty of the painter. These figures are based on classical sculptures, from which we can see that the artist tries to reproduce the cold feeling of marble in the body. Smooth rhythm and elegant ups and downs are the common techniques used by this artist in his oil paintings in his later years. With exaggerated modeling and warm colors, he is full of passion and artistic charm.

The inspiration for the character on the left comes directly from his wife Helena. It was the wedding day, which witnessed his happy life. This kind of life has also been integrated into his erotic works since that moment. Since the model of the nude goddess on the right is Isabel, the ex-wife in the painter's memory, after Rubens' death, Helena will burn this work to vent her jealousy. Finally, due to the protection of French Cardinal Li Sailiu, he bought this work at a high price and saved this masterpiece from the disaster.

Putting two wives in the same picture, one of them almost ruined this famous painting because of jealousy, which is probably a great event in the history of modeling.

Personality influence

Posterity evaluation

In the turbulent decades at the end of 16, the Flemish painting school as a whole turned to harmless original technicalism, and there seems to be no soil for the birth of masters. However, Rubens not only received the painter's basic training here, but also established his humanistic belief from the classical era, which ran through his career and never failed.

His brushwork is free and easy and he has a strong sense of integrity. He combined the superb skills of Renaissance art and humanistic thought with the ancient national art tradition in Flanders, and formed a unique style with great momentum, rich colors and strong sense of movement, which enthusiastically praised the joy of life. Rubens enjoyed a high reputation in the European art world all his life, and various specifications were entrusted by Italy, Spain, France, Britain, Germany and his hometown of southern Netherlands. Endless imagination, continuous work motivation and strong high output are all legends.

162 1 When Rubens was less than 45 years old, an English tourist called him "a laborer among the world's masters". Rubens himself declared: "I don't have that big ambition." However, too many commissions on quantity and subject matter forced me not to take risks. "

celebrity quote

Painting is my profession, and being an ambassador is my hobby.

I regard every part of the world as my hometown.