
Peter Paul RubensFlemish, 1577–1640May one see it?
Washington, D.C., United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
1590 – 9 March 1600 · Workplace
Antwerp
1600
Entering the Service of the Duke of Mantua
Almost immediately upon arriving in Italy, the 23-year-old Rubens was presented in Venice to Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga and entered the service of the Mantuan court, gaining a patron, a salary, and high standing.
July 1600 · Workplace
Venice
July 1600 – 5 May 1608 · Workplace
Mantua
12 January 1602
First Official Commission: An Altarpiece for the Archduke
Archduke Albert of Austria commissioned from Rubens an altarpiece of the Finding of the True Cross for a Roman church; the contract was signed on 12 January 1602, and by 26 January the artist had already presented the central part of the composition.
5 March 1603
Diplomatic Mission to Spain
On behalf of Duke Gonzaga, Rubens traveled to Spain to deliver gifts to King Philip III; the paintings were damaged by rainstorms en route, and the artist restored them himself in Valladolid. This was the first of his journeys combining art and diplomacy.