Art in Action

When you arrive in Paris, France and approach the most famous art museum in the world, (The Louvre), you will see, not only the beautifully restored residence of Napoleon and former kings, but also famous artworks from all over the world which are housed there.

It is here you will see The Mona Lisa, and the impressive Winged Victory (Nike of Samothrace). One artist, Peter Paul Rubens has an entire room dedicated to his work alone. Most of Ruben’s pieces are enormous, averaging 4 meters tall by 3 meters wide on the two long walls and an even bigger 4 meters tall by 7 meters wide at each end!

To step into this room is to have your breath stolen and your heart captured. Peter Paul Rubens is considered the most important painter of his day.

He chose subjects that were as diversified as his own talent, but he also did a magnificent job on portraits. A fine example is the painting of Deborah Kip and her children. Some attribute her melancholy mien to her forbidding, difficult, husband. (photo provided) Rubens was a flemish artist getting his initial training in Antwerp during the Golden Age we have discussed when the Flemish artists held sway in most of the art world for their excellence.

Rubens held that knowledge and talent, but during his life he expanded his abilities as he traveled to Italy where he toured and learned from the art world there during the great Renaissance.

Rubens was able to mix the two styles into work so breathtaking he was in high demand and received honors that propelled his work to the forefront of all artists of this era.

His Baroque style was popular and he offered a wide diversity in projects he would tackle.

He was commissioned to paint in churches, cathedrals, and even had projects so large that Marie dé Medici commissioned a series of twenty-four monumental paintings celebrating her daughter ’s marriage!

He could do charming, sentimental work. He could portray wildly violent military conflicts and yet he was totally capable of creating beautifully religious pieces that are still revered today.

There is one painting on display by Rubens in the magnificent hall of his work that has a bit of mystery around it. You can look it up and see if you can explain the mystery. It is the Portrait of Hélene Fourment (Ruben’s second wife) and two of their five children. Can you see where he began to include a third child and has part of the arm and hand drawn out and in place?

Coming UP: Red-Bird Art Studio at Warsaw City Hall till July 5th. Please visit this exhibit and encourage these budding artists with a purchase. Next, Lakeland Art Gallery exhibiting annual Spring competition through June 12th. It is FREE! Details at LakelandArtAssociation.org. Hours 11:30 to 4:30 Wednesday through Saturday. 302 E. Winona Ave.