Featured Exhibit:
Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640): The Drawings

When:
January 15 - April 3, 2005

Where:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640)
Nicolaas Rubens Wearing a Coral Necklace, ca. 1619
Black and red chalk, heightened with white chalk, eyes, part of the necklace, sections of the mouth strengthened with pen and dark brown ink, on brownish paper,
252 x 202 mm (9-15/16 x 7-15/16 in.)
Albertina, Vienna 17 650

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) is a prolific artist known for his sumptuous paintings located in churches and museums around the world. Like other famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Monet, Rubens's paintings continue to be closely studied in order to learn more about the artist and his technique.

Asked to choose between an exhibition of Rubens's paintings or drawings, most would not hesitate and go to the painting exhibit. But this would be a mistake. To ignore the work of an artist on paper is to miss out on one of the most intimate means of becoming familiar with the mind of the artist.

Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640)
Centaur Tormented by Cupid, Seen from the Left,
ca. 1606-8 Black chalk, 481 x 371 mm (18-15/16 x 14-5/8 in.)
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum - Fondation Corboud, Cologne Z 5887

In addition to his talents as a painter, Rubens was also an equally gifted draftsman. And while his paintings are indeed rewarding for the viewer, his drawings are engaging as well as imaginative. His drawings served several important purposes: preliminary studies for commissioned paintings, prints, or personal sketches of immediate family members.

On January 15, 2005 the first major exhibition of drawings by Rubens will open at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640): The Drawings will display 115 of the Baroque artist's finest drawings, many of which have never been exhibited before in the United States.

Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577-1640)
Lioness Seen from the Rear, Turning to the Left, ca. 1613
Black chalk, with touches of yellow chalk, heightened with white oil or bodycolor, some gray wash, laid down,
396 x 235 mm (15-9/16 x 9-1/4 in.)
The British Museum, London 1994.5.14.46

According to Philippe de Montebello, Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art: "This landmark international loan exhibition will offer an extraordinary view into the creative process of the Flemish genius. Even more than his paintings, which were often executed largely by his pupils, it is Rubens's drawings that radiate beauty and power."

The exhibition is made possible by the Government of Flanders and Fortis Bank. The exhibition was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Albertina, Vienna.

Visit Amazon to purchase Peter Paul Rubens: The Drawings
by Anne Marie-Logan

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