How Did Peter Paul Rubens Influence His Work

Also known as Pieter Pauwel Rubens; Pedro Pablo Rubens; Petrus Paulus Rubens. Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most famous and successful European artists of the 17th century, and isknown for such works as "The Descent from the Cross," "Wolf and Fox Hunt" and "The Garden of Love."

Ruben's style contains a great deal of vivacity that surpassed even the most influential artists of his time. He had a vivid imagination and was successful in transforming the Baroque style into an international art form. “My talent is such that no undertaking, however vast in size or diversified in subject, has ever surpassed my courage.”, says Peter Paul Rubens.

Born on June 28, 1577, in the town of Siegen in Westphalia (now Germany), one of seven children of a prosperous lawyer and his cultured wife. Following his father's death in 1587, the family moved to Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands (now Belgium), where the young Rubens received an education and artistic training. He served as an apprentice to several established artists, and was admitted into Antwerp's professional guild for painters in 1598. Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most

There he married Isabella Brant and established his own studio with a staff of assistants. He was appointed court painter to Archduke Albert and Archduchess Isabella, who governed the Southern Netherlands on behalf of Spain. In a time of social and economic recovery after war, Antwerp's affluent merchants were building their private art collections and local churches were being refurbished with new art. Rubens received a prestigious commission to paint two large religious works, "The Raising of the Cross" and "The Descent from the Cross," for Antwerp Cathedral between 1610 and 1614. In addition to many projects for Roman Catholic churches, Rubens also created paintings with historical and mythological scenes during these years, as well as hunting scenes like "Wolf and Fox Hunt" (circa