Paul Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens is considered one of the most important Flemish painters of the 17th century. His style became an international definition of the animated, exuberantly sensuous aspects of baroque painting.

Rubens's father, Jan Rubens, was a prominent lawyer and Antwerp alderman. In 1577 Peter Paul was born in exile at Siegen, Westphalia (now in Germany). After studying the classics in a Latin school and serving as a court page, Peter Paul decided to become a painter.

Following the example of many northern European artists of the period, Rubens felt drawn by necessity to travel to Italy, the center of European art for the previous two centuries. In 1600 he arrived in Venice, where he was particularly inspired by the paintings of Titian, Paolo Veronese, and Tintoretto. Later, while resident in Rome, he was influenced by the works of Michelangelo and Raphael, as well as by ancient Greco-Roman sculpture.

Vincenzo Gonzaga (reigned 1587-1612), the duke of Mantua, employed Rubens for about nine years. Besides executing original works, Rubens copied Renaissance paintings for the ducal collection, and in 1605 he served as the duke's emissary to King Philip III of Spain. When Rubens left Italy, he was no longer a bourgeois but a gentleman, and he was not a local artist but one of international style and reputation.

His mother's death in 1608 brought Rubens back to Antwerp, where he married Isabella Brandt in 1609. Having formulated one of the first innovative expressions of the baroque style while in Italy, Rubens on his return was recognized as the foremost painter of Flanders and, therefore, was immediately employed by the burgomaster of Antwerp.

His success was further confirmed in 1609, when he was engaged as court painter to the Austrian archduke Albert and his wife, the Spanish infanta Isabella, who together ruled the Low Countries as viceroys for the king of Spain. The number of pictures requested from Rubens was so large that he established an enormous workshop in which the master did the initial sketch and final touches, while his apprentices completed all the intermediary steps. From 1630, when he married Hélène Fourment, until his death on May 30, 1640, Rubens remained in Antwerp, living primarily at Castle Steen, his country residence.

Our Paintings

Our paintings  are hand painted on canvas. Each is a museum quality reproduction of a masterpiece, completely handpainted by one of our professional artists all of whom are art school graduates. It has not been stretched and is unframed. You can get it framed any way you like by your local framer or frame it yourself.  The painting size is 24 x 20 inches (approx. 60 X 50 cm). There is extra canvas around the edges to allow for stretching.

All of our paintings,  which take weeks to complete, are signed by one of our commissioned artists from around the world. Only the best quality oil paints and canvas are used by our professional artists. Our high standard of Quality Control ensures that each painting is very carefully inspected by our Italian Art Director. 

This is a top quality hand painted oil Painting - not a Print, Poster or Canvas Transfer and much nicer to own. In galleries, repreduction oil paintings of this quality sell for £300+.

Paintings are available in a range of sizes from 20cm x 25cm (8 by 10 inches) up to 90cm x 120cm (36 x 48 inches)

Delivery costs £15 worldwide. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for your painting to be painted and shipped to you by TNT couriers. When the painting is complete and inspected a picture of your painting is sent to you for approval and a TNT tracking number is provided. Canvases are shipped rolled-up in a cardboard tube.