Rubens: A Double Life [Hardcover]

Marie-Anne Lescourret (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1566630150 | ISBN-13: 978-1566630153 | Publication Date: July 1, 1993 | Edition: 1st Amer ed,abridged

A vivid portrait of Rubens's enormous life against a background of the turbulent history of his times. Without neglecting his paintings, Ms. Lescourret also gives the reader a fascinating picture of Rubens's career as an accomplished diplomat.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fine portrait of the artist...provides some much needed insight into his life. (Bookwatch )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 289 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee; 1st Amer ed,abridged edition (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566630150
• ISBN-13: 978-1566630153
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,301,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art for Business's Sake, December 9, 2004

By 

J. head (littlteton, nh USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rubens: A Double Life (Hardcover)

The author did a very good job portraying the life of Peter Paul Rubens from a young Flemish painter in search of a teacher, he struck out for Italy. He develops and refines a style that is a blend of the Northern and Southern European painting styles, Rubens had a head for business also, unlike many other artists of the time. He disdained the court intrigues and being captive to a powerful patron. Ruben's plan was very modern, he set up a palatial house in Antwerp to attract the best art students as apprentices. These apprentices would rough out paintings for Rubens to finish, greatly expanding his output. His house also became a place to entertain the wealthy customers, and as a locale for his art collection. As the most renowned and prodigious artist of his time, Rubens invested his wealth into a huge art collection. True to his business class ideal, in the midst of Europe's religious conflict, The Thirty Years War, his religion changed with convenience. Another side of Rubens is that because of his contacts and traveling he actually became involved in diplomatic intrigues carrying secret messages to the movers and shakers of the Thirty Years War, under the guise of painting their portraits. The author is to be commended on this text. She cites many sources especially about Rubens style and technique, besides herown opinion. The author includes insights into personal life gained mainly through his personal correspondence.