Philopoemen, général des Achéens, pris pour un valet puis reconnu dans une cuisine par ses hôtes de Mégare

July 1600 – 5 May 1608 · Workplace

Mantua

1606–1608

Commission for the High Altar of the Chiesa Nuova

With the assistance of Cardinal Jacopo Serra, Rubens received his most important commission to date — the high altar of the fashionable new Roman church of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova); the first version had to be replaced by a second on three slate panels.

28 October 1608

Departure from Italy Forever

Having finished the commission for the Oratorians, Rubens left Rome without permission on 28 October 1608, hurrying to his ailing mother; despite promises to return to Mantua, he never went back to Italy.

3 October 1609

Married: Isabella Brant

8 October 1609

Marriage to Isabella Brant

The 32-year-old Rubens married the 18-year-old Isabella Brant, niece of his brother's wife and daughter of the humanist and city secretary Jan Brant; the marriage produced three children.

9 January 1610

Court Painter to the Archducal Couple

After being presented at court in August 1609, Rubens received his patent as court painter to Archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella; at the same time he secured the right to remain working in Antwerp rather than Brussels, and to be paid a fee for each painting.