Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most influential painters of the Baroque era. This seventeenth century painter perfected the use of color and movement in his paintings. During this time the expansion of artistic subject matter and technology, like theater, science, and different genera’s of music, had an immense impact culturally around the world. Although there was a “Thirty Year War” going on, this did not hurt the impact of art. More European nations were starting to control their own populations, which in turn gave people more rights and options to choose from.
Peter Rubens mainly lived and worked in Germany throughout his career. During that time there were many significant advances in a number of things including, medicine, government, and a totally different way of life. It seems that more and more people had somewhat of a voice. Although yes, there was a tremendous “religious element” that played into many affairs in the seventeenth century, there seemed to be an even bigger want for the “arts” and technology. As I said before the “Baroque” era was perfect of aspiring artists.
I really admire Peter Rubens. Not only was he a scholar and a diplomat, but he was knighted by two kings in his lifetime (Philip IV king of Spain, and Charles I king of England). Rubens had his own unique form of painting. Producing wonderful pieces of art done of altarpieces to landscapes, portraits to mythology paintings. He was an inspiration to many for his nobleness, and for his breathtaking works of art.
This is a painting by Peter Rubens, entitled “The Three Graces”. I enjoyed many of his “nude” paintings because of his wonderful use of color and placement. This was painted in Spain in 1639.
"The Three Graces"
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