One of the most prolific and famous painters; not of the Flemish school
only, but of the world. His life as untroubled as his genius was grand.
Crowned heads courted him, wealth followed him, and until immediately
before his death he knew not the sorrow of sickness. He passed happily
through life, multiplying with astonishing rapidity those marvellous
pictures which have associated his name for ever with the idea of
glorious colour. He left paintings in France and in Spain, and both
countries vied with each other in loading the great artist with well
merited honours. He came to England in the reign of Charles I. as Envoy
from the Spanish court, and in England fresh dignities awaited him. As a
painter, he is memorable for the harmony, beauty, and mellow richness of
his colouring, which flings a surpassing charm over every one of his
productions. His men are always powerfully drawn and characterized with
wonderful variety; but for the graceful and ideal representation of the
more delicate sex, we have only the coarse type of his countrywomen. His
portraits are fresh, vigorous, and carefully executed. His most
celebrated work, _The Descent from the Cross_, at Antwerp, is a
wonderful creation, both for expression and feeling. In landscapes,
Rubens was also most happy. In all his works there is a luxuriance of
life and vigour and passionate expression. In person he was tall,
majestic, and extremely handsome; in temperament energetic and
enthusiastic; in his manner of living plain and moderate; in his
dealings with his brother artists, gentle and munificent as a prince.
Amongst his pupils he reckoned Vandyke, Teniers the younger, Jordaens,
and Sneyders.
[For a description of this noble statue, see No. 107, Handbook of
Modern Sculpture.]