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Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish Baroque painter, born in Siegen, Westphalia. Rubens is best known for his portraits, history paintings and Counter-Reformation altarpieces. Rubens usually painted mythological and allegorical subjects. While Rubens was based out of Antwerp, where his main studio was located, he worked throughout Europe and was knighted by the Kings of Spain and England.

Rubens’ father, Jan Rubens was the legal advisor to Anna of Saxony, who was married to William I of Orange. Jan Rubens was imprisoned for having an affair with Anna of Saxony but was eventually released and gave birth to Peter Paul Rubens with Maria Pypelincks. The family moved to Cologne, where Rubens spent much of his early childhood. In 1589, two years after Jan Ruben’s death, Rubens and his mother moved to Antwerp.

In Antwerp, Rubens was raised as a Catholic and received a humanist education. Rubens studied Latin, literature and worked as an apprentice under Tobias Verhaeght. Rubens showed tremendous artistic talent and continued to study under two Mannerists, Adam van Noort and Otto van Veen. By 1598, Rubens completed his education and entered the Guild of St. Luke as a mater painter.

In 1600, Rubens spent the year in Italy, visiting Venice and Mantua, where he met the Duke Vincenzo I of Gonzaga. The Duke provided funding for Rubens to travel to Rome and Florence, where he studied Greek and Roman art. In Rome, Rubens painted his first altarpiece at the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

In 1603, Rubens continued his travels in Spain, spending much of his time in Madrid, where he painted the Duke of Lerma. The following year, Rubens returned to Italy and spent the next four years moving between Mantua, Genoa and Rome. Rubens had a steady flow of work, painting portraits and illustrating palaces.

Between 1606 and 1608, Rubens received one of his most important commissions, painting the High Altar of the Santa Maria cathedral in Vallicella. Rubens became greatly influenced by Italian art and culture, often signing his name “Pietro Paolo Rubens”.

In 1608, Rubens returned to Antwerp to see his mother, who died shortly before his return. Rubens decided to stay in Antwerp and the following year Rubens was appointed to be a court painter under Albert VII, the Archduke of Austria and Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain. That same year, Rubens married Isabella Brant, the daughter of humanist, Jan Brant.

In 1610 Rubens designed a house and studio, which is now the Rubenshuis Museum, in the style of an Italian villa. Rubens worked with various apprentices and students, as well as collaborating with other well-known artists. Rubens house became a major art and cultural center in Antwerp. Rubens also established a copyright for his prints, which were distributed throughout Europe.

During Rubens later years, he bought a chateau outside of Antwerp, where he painted numerous landscape paintings and lived with his second wife, Helene. By the time of his death, Rubens had established himself as a prolific, master painter. Rubens is currently one of the most highly valued Old Master painters. Rubens paintings are now in major museums and collections around the world. Do you think you own a painting by Peter Paul Rubens? Contact us. We are the Rubens experts!