Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640) was one of the most celebrated and influential painters of the Baroque era. Renowned for his dynamic compositions, vigorous brushwork, and lush, dramatic use of color, Rubens defined the grandeur and emotional intensity of 17th-century European art. His subjects ranged from mythological and religious scenes to portraits and landscapes, often infused with sensuality, movement, and rich allegorical meaning.
Born in Siegen, Westphalia, Rubens trained in Antwerp and later traveled to Italy, where he studied the works of Renaissance masters, including Titian, Caravaggio, and Michelangelo. Upon returning to the Low Countries, he became court painter to Archduke Albert and Infanta Isabella and later worked for the kings of Spain, England, and France. Rubens also served as a diplomat, a role that informed his artistic commissions and elevated his stature across Europe. His prolific workshop helped spread his aesthetic across generations, securing his legacy as a master of narrative painting and monumental beauty.
