As author Charles Scribner III details in his text, Rubens was not only a towering artistic figure, whose prodigious output included easel paintings, tapestries, altarpieces, decorative ceilings,sculptural designs, and monuments for festivals, he was also an important diplomat--knighted for his achievements by the kings of Spain and England--a scholar, a humanist, and an amateur architect: in short., the Baroque fulfillment of the Renaissance man. The author's illuminating biographical study of Rubens and his time is accompanied by 80 black-and-white illustrations, showing a variety of works by Rubens as well as comparative examples by other artists. The 43 colorplates are each introduced by lengthy commentaries explaining the pictures' context and meaning...

THIS NEW VOLUME IN THE MASTERS OF ART SERIES INTRODUCES the reader to a wide range of works by the great Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Rubens is an "artist"s artist," known for his glowing, painterly treatments of classical mythology and religious themes and his stunning portraits and landscapes. His paintings, which were often commissioned by the princes and prelates of Europe, now adorn the walls of the world"s most important museums, including the Hermitage, the Prado, the National Gallery (both Washington, D.C.,and London), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Louvre.Painters from Watteau to Ceanne and from Delacroix to Matisse have looked to Rubens for inspiration.

As author Charles Scribner III details in his text, Rubens was not only a towering artistic figure, whose prodigious output included easel paintings, tapestries, altarpieces, decorative ceilings,sculptural designs, and monuments for festivals, he was also an important diplomat--knighted for his achievements by the kings of Spain and England--a scholar, a humanist, and an amateur architect: in short., the Baroque fulfillment of the Renaissance man. The author"s illuminating biographical study of Rubens and his time is accompanied by 80 black-and-white illustrations, showing a variety of works by Rubens as well as comparative examples by other artists. The 43 colorplates are each introduced by lengthy commentaries explaining the pictures" context and meaning.

  Charles Scribner III received his Ph.D. in art history from Princeton University and later entered the family publishing firm. He is currently a vice-president of Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, and an editor for its Scribner"s imprint. He lives in New York with his wife and two sons.

Peter Paul Rubens: Baroque Artist, Renaissance Man by  Charles Scribner III  7

COLORPLATES

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN, Metropditan Mnseum of Art, New York  49

THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS, The National Gallery, London  51

THE MARCHESA BR1GIDA SPINOLA-DORIA, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.  53

THE MADONNA DI VALLICELLA, ST. GREGORY THE GREAT, AND SAINTS, Musee de Grenoble  55

SAMSON AND DELILAH, The National Gallely, London  57

RUBENS AND ISABELLA BRANT UNDER A HONEYSUCKLE BOWER, Alle Pinakothek, Munich  59

GANYMEDE AND THE EAGLE, Palais Sehwarzenberg; Vienna  61

THE DESCENT FROM THE CROSS, Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp  63

JUSTUS L1PSIUS AND HIS PUPILS ("THE FOUR PHILOSOPHERS"), Palazzo Pitti, Florence  65

LANDSCAPE WITH CARTERS, The Hermitage, Leningrad  67

THE BATTLE OF THE AMAZONS AND GREEKS, Alto Pinakothek, Munieh  69

THE RAPE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF LEUCIPPUS, Alte Pinakothek, Munieh  71

MADONNA AND CHILD WITH GARLAND AND PUTTI, Alte Pinakothek, Munieh  73

CHRIST AND THE PENITENT SINNERS, Alte Pinakothek, Mnnich  75

ABRAHAM AND MELCHIZEDEK, The Louvre, Paris  77

THE LAST SUPPER, Seattle Art Museum   77

LION HUNT, Alte Pinakothek, Munich  79

THE MARRIAGE OF CONSTANTINE, Philadelphia Museum of Art  81

PORTRAIT OF SUSANNA FOURMENT ("LE CHAPEAU DE PAILLE"), The National Gallery, London  83

HENRY IV RECEIVING THE PORTRAIT OF MARIA DE" MEDICI, The Louvre, Paris  85

THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI, Koninklijk Museum voor Sehone Kunsten, Antwerp  87

ALBERT AND NICOLAAS RUBENS, Collectios of the Pri.ee of Lieehtenstein, Vaduz  89

GEORGE VILLIERS, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth  91

LANDSCAPE WITH PHILEMON AND BAUCIS, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna  93

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN, Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp  95

THE VICTORY OF EUCHARISTIC TRUTH OVER HERESY, Museo del Prado, Madrid  97

THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH, Musees royaux des beaux-arts, Brussels  97

LUDOVICUS NONNIUS, The National Gallely, London  99

THE GARDEN OF LOVE, Museo del Prado, Madrid  101

BRISEIS RETURNED TO ACHILLES, Detrvit lnstitute of Arts  103

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