The Story Behind these Rubens Prints

Rubens (1577-1640) is thought to be one of the most influential artists of the Flemish Baroque period. He was born in Seigen, just east of Cologne to a Protestant father and Catholic mother who had fled Antwerp in 1568. There was a great deal of religious upheaval during this era and it is expressed prominently throughout Rubens artwork.

He specialised in designing altarpieces; depicting movement, colour and storytelling with dramatic sensuality which can be seen across Rubens art prints. He is one of the only artists in history to have his name evolve into an adjective. Rubenesque is often used to allude to his seductive scenes of voluptuous women in paintings such as The Three Graces.

He generated over 3000 works throughout his life and acquired a small fortune. Rubens was often drawn towards commissions from aristocratic patrons from the courts throughout Europe. One notable commission was The Birth of the Milky Way which he painted for Philip IV of Spain. In his later life, he mainly created landscape paintings inspired by his estate near Antwerp, reminiscent of Bruegel the Elder.