Artist Report

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Note: No credit will be given if you do not use this form and format.

Objective: Investigate the artist whose work inspires you to replicate his/her style.

Personal life

Name of Artist: Peter Paul Rubens

Birth Date: June 28, 1577

Birth Place: Siegen, Germany

What later life events (marriage, children, deaths, etc.) had a major influence on the
artist? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete sentences.)

In 1608, while travelling and studying art in Italy, Rubens learned that his mother was ill
and planned to return to her in Antwerp. However, she died before he made it home.
Once home he decided to stay in Antwerp and was appointed the court painter to the
rulers of the Netherlands along with diplomatic duties. He received special permission to
base his studio in Antwerp instead of at their court in Brussels and to also work for other
clients. The following year he married Isabella Brant, the daughter of a leading Antwerp
citizen and humanist Jan Brant. In 1610, he built a new house and studio in the city which
is now the Rubenshuis museum.

Time Period

Describe what prevailing style of art was popular when the artist first started? (Your
description should be at least three complete sentences in length.)

The Mannerism movement was prevalent but also coming to an end around the time
Rubens began his studies. Mannerism exaggerates the qualities practiced in High
Renaissance such as proportion and balance. The resulting compositions are often
asymmetrical and have an artificial look compared to Renaissance paintings.

What new style did the artist start, or get involved in?
Rubens was part of the Baroque movement which is considered one of the great periods
of art history. Baroque emerged as Mannerism was fading and it countered that style with
more realistic portrayals. The Catholic Church encouraged the Baroque movement as a
return to tradition and spirituality.

What important historical events happened during the artists lifetime that influenced one
or more pieces? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete
sentences.)

Consequences of War was painted by Peter Paul Rubens between 1638 and 1639 in
response to the Thirty Years War. The struggles for political power in Europe contributed
and prolonged the war where nearly all the European states fought at some point in the
long span of the conflict. With so many states involved, the conflicts origins are complex
and diverse but clashes between Catholics and Protestants played a major role. The
painting depicts the fighting that lead to the destruction of large areas in Europe that
brought on outbreaks of pestilence and famine and also contributed to significant
depopulation in the German states.

Select one piece that your artist did

Name of the piece: The Battle of Anghiari

Copy and paste your artists painting here:

What is it about?

It depicts soldiers on horses in a battle for possession of a standard, at the Battle of

Anghiari in 1440.

Why did you choose this piece? (Two or more complete sentences, minimum)
Personally, I find it more aesthetically pleasing than most of his work. Rubens often used
a lot of color and I really like the minimalist approach to color in this one.

Name two elements of design that the artist used in this piece:

1. Shape
2. Color

Name one principle of design that the artist used in this piece:

1. Balance

When you first looked at this piece what was your reaction to it? (Two or more complete
sentences, minimum)
My first reaction to this piece was attraction to the colors and shapes before I even knew
what was happening or what the work was about.

Did your reaction change as you studied this piece? Explain.

It didnt change but as I studied it I liked this piece even more. At first glance I was
drawn in by the colors and shapes but as studied closer I began to really appreciate the
emotions on the faces and attention to detail in the armor and horses.

Sources

List two sources you used to gather your information

1. https://www.peterpaulrubens.org

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistic_revolution