Peter Paul Rubens

Question 1

Self-Portrait with Isabella Brandt

Answer 1

from 1609-10 in Belgium

• The painting is a double portrait since there are two figures within it
• The painting is meant as a provocative image of marrietal bliss
• Ruben’s foot touching the bottom of his wife’s dress nods to their successful sex life
• Another name for the painting is Honeysuckle Bower
• Currently in the Old Pinakothek in Munich, Germany

Question 2

Raising of the Cross

Answer 2

from 1610-11 in Belgium

• The piece is a triptych meaning it is divided into three panels
• The original altarpiece had an image of God the Father on top
• The painting is meant to speak out against the iconoclasms done by the Protestants at the time of the painting
• Currently in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium
• The painting had an emphasis on the new ideals of Romon Catholicism after the Council of Trent

Question 3

Henri IV Receiving the Portrait of Marie de Medici

Answer 3

from 1621-25 in Belgium

• It is apart of a series of 24 paintings commissioned by Marie de Medici, widow of Henri IV
• All paintings are currently in the Louvre in Paris
• The series is entitled the Marie de Medici Cycle
• The series took two years for Rubens to complete

Question 4

Garden of Love

Answer 4

from 1630-32 in Belgium

• Currently in the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain
• The presence of carousing figures allude to merry company genre paintings
• The painting was originally hung in the Royal Palace of Madrid
• In early inventories, the painting was called The Garden Party