
Peter Paul RubensFlandre, 1577–1640Peut-on la contempler ?
Nancy, France
Le propriétaire est connu ; on ignore si l’œuvre est exposée aujourd’hui.
juillet 1600 – 5 mai 1608 · Lieu de travail
Mantua
juillet 1600 – 5 mai 1608
Post: court painter
juillet 1600 – 5 mai 1608
Employed by: Vincenzo I Gonzaga
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.
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.