Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Rubens in Spain I

Peter Paul Rubens
Diana & Nymphs Hunting
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Hercules & Cerberus
1636-37
Prado

During the middle 1630s Peter Paul Rubens (and several assistants) took up residence in Madrid to work on a large series of mythological paintings with subjects derived from Ovid. These were intended to decorate a royal hunting lodge called the Torre de la Parada. Above are two cartoons quickly sketched by Rubens to define compositions. Skilled and trusted subordinates then painted highly finished copies of these designs.

Below, additional panels from the Torre de la Parada. These were produced by a more integrated method, partly painted by Rubens himself and partly by workshop assistants.

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Fortune
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Satyr
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Abduction of Proserpine
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Abduction of Hippodamia
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Banquet of Tereus
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Mercury & Argus
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens & workshop
Orpheus & Eurydice
1636-37
Prado

The final pair belong to the same cycle. These also hung in the Torre de la Parada, but are today regarded as exceptional because they were painted entirely by the hand of Rubens himself.

Peter Paul Rubens
Abduction of Ganymede
1636-37
Prado

Peter Paul Rubens
Mercury
1636-37
Prado