The Artwork of Peter Paul Rubens
Rubens main interests lay in the color, texture, and movement of the visible world, especially in the human form. His work is a perfect example of the Baroque style that came into being during his time. Many art historians would even cite Rubens as the founder of the Baroque style of painting. Many of Rubens' paintings show inspiration from the Venetian painter Titian. In fact, Rubens often copied Titian's works and some times even made his own modifications to those copies. Rubens' works are mostly oil on canvas, wood, or panels, but there are many sketches and drawings in chalk and ink that are attributed to him as well, though they are usually not as well known as his paintings and usually consist of studies or drafts of later paintings.
Like many Flemish painters, Rubens was known and admired for his landscapes, but he was also a famous court portraitist for many important royal figures of the 17th century. He was often commissioned to create paintings for use in churches and cathedrals, and because of his own personal fascination with classical philosophy and his brother's position as a famous classical scholar, a number of his paintings depict scenes from Greek or Roman mythology. Thus, we see a very broad range of subject matter in his paintings and drawings.
Like many Flemish painters, Rubens was known and admired for his landscapes, but he was also a famous court portraitist for many important royal figures of the 17th century. He was often commissioned to create paintings for use in churches and cathedrals, and because of his own personal fascination with classical philosophy and his brother's position as a famous classical scholar, a number of his paintings depict scenes from Greek or Roman mythology. Thus, we see a very broad range of subject matter in his paintings and drawings.