Peter Paul RubensFlemish, 1577–1640The Three Graces
May one see it?
Unknown
Nationalmuseum
Stockholm, Sweden
The owner is known; whether it is on view today is not.
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
The three Graces, some sort of goddesses of joy, were the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome in Greek mythology. They were a common artistic motif and Rubens—one of the Baroque’s most illustrious painters—returned to it several times. Here the Graces lift a basket of flowers in a combined effort. The artist doesn’t, however, concentrate on the mythological narrative but on rendering the shapes and movements of the female bodies. The naked skin appears warm and alive before the viewer’s eyes.
Nationalmuseum
Particulars
In the catalog
Sources
- Nationalmuseum
- Image: Nationalmuseum — Public Domain Mark 1.0
Meanwhile, in the life of Peter Paul Rubens
The whole life1621
Marie de' Medici's Commission for the Luxembourg Palace Cycles
The Queen Mother of France, Marie de' Medici, commissioned from Rubens two large allegorical cycles for the Luxembourg Palace — one on her own life and one on the life of the late Henry IV; the second series was never completed.
1621
Employed by: Marie de' Medici
1624
Ennoblement by Philip IV
King Philip IV of Spain raised Rubens to the nobility.
1627–1630
Diplomatic Missions between Spain and England
Rubens was active as a diplomat, shuttling between the courts of Spain and England in an effort to achieve peace between the Catholic Spanish Netherlands and the Protestant Dutch Republic; he also made several trips to Holland.
1628–1629
Eight Months in Madrid, Friendship with Velázquez
During an eight-month stay in Madrid, Rubens, in addition to diplomatic negotiations, executed important works for Philip IV, studied and copied Titian anew, and became friends with the court painter Diego Velázquez.
1629 – April 1630
Diplomatic Journey to London
After a brief stay in Antwerp, Rubens traveled to London, where he remained until April 1630, continuing the peace negotiations between Spain and England.
