Page images
PDF
EPUB

benignity, extends to him the miraculous garment. Virgin-Saints stand on cither side of the throne as ladies in waiting, whilst in a flood of light child-angels joyously hover around it. In the two wings the Archduke and his Archduchess on their knees, clad in royal robes, and with their Patrons

[graphic]

Fig. 23.

PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA. In the Berlin Museum. (To page 42.)

beside them, are awe-struck spectators of this miracle. St. Albert in Cardinal's robes protects the Archduke, while St. Clare attends the Archduchess, Clara Eugenia Isabella (Fig. 15). In this work Rubens has succeeded in uniting a marvellous chiaro-oscuro, with a brilliancy of colouring, which is almost

[graphic][subsumed]

Fig. 24. STUDIES OF PUTTI. Pen and ink drawing in the Albertina at Vienna. After a photograph from the original by Braun, Clément & Co., Dornach, Paris and New-York.

(To page 42.)

[graphic]

Fig. 25.

MADONNA WITH THE HOLY INNOCENTS. In the Louvre.

After a photograph from the original by Braun, Clément & Co., Dornach, Paris and New-York.

(To page 42.)

unique in the history of art. On the outer side of the two wings he also painted an idyllic Holy Family, known as the Madonna under the AppleTree. In 1641, this splendid altar-piece was removed to make way for a so-called miraculous picture; on which occasion both the wings were taken off,

[graphic][merged small][merged small]

Fig. 26. THE GARLAND OF FRUIT. In the Pinakothek at Munich. After a photograph from the original by Franz Hanfstängl, Munich. (To page 44.)

in order to make a separate picture of the Holy Family above-mentioned. When in 1657, the order of St. Ildefonso ceased to exist, these pictures came into the possession of the monks of Kaltenberg. In order to raise fonds for rebuilding their church burnt down in 1743, the monks resolved to sell the pictures, which had fortunately been saved. In 1776 the Empress Maria Theresa, through the medium of her ambassador, Prince Starkenberg, bought them for 14,000 florins, whereby this masterpiece came to Vienna and found a place of honour the following year in the Belvedere Gallery; whence it has now been transferred to the Museum of Art-History.

In 1610 when, according to tradition, Rubens had completed the St. Ildefonso altar-piece, he executed another work for the Walpurgis-church at Antwerp. This is the celebrated Elevation of the Cross, now in the transept of the cathedral at Antwerp. There is in the Louvre a drawing for this picture, giving an idea of the whole composition which, when finally executed, was divided into three parts: The Elevation of the Cross in the centre: on the right the Weeping Women: on the left the Roman Centurion (Fig. 16). The central-subject has been reproduced in numberless ancient and modern prints (Fig. 17). A thick darkness covers the sky; whilst the Saviour, extended upon the Cross, turns his suffering face towards the last rays of the setting sun. The whole attention of the spectator is attracted by this figure alone; for all the other figures are unimportant. Their whole attention appears to be directed to raising the heavy cross, and preventing it from slipping from its intended position. On one of the wings may be seen the Centurion, surrounded by other men on horseback, giving his orders with all the pride of a Roman official: behind him are the two malefactors. On the other wing is a striking group of the Mourning Women, amid whom St. John supports the Holy Mother overwhelmed with grief. Originally there was a lunette above the central-portion of this Ancona, representing God the Father, toward whom the Crucified One was directing his gaze: and also a predella consisting of three small pictures. These pieces were sold separately in the 18th century by order of the church-authorities.

A still more powerful picture is the Descent from the Cross, which the master painted two years later as a pendant to the Elevation and which is likewise in the transept of the Antwerp Cathedral. It was commissioned in 1611 by the Rifle - corps - Guild for a sum of 2400 florins. The records of payment are still in existence, and it is amusing to see that on three occasions, while the work was proceeding, 9 florins, 10 stübers were spent on wine for the master's pupils: and that, after the completion of the picture, 8 florins 10 stübers were paid for a pair of gloves as a present for his wife. Rubens' Descent from the Cross is a well known and much admired picture. The dead Christ lowered in a white sheet is surrounded by His disciples and friends, who support His body, whilst near at hand stands His Mother. Her head is shrouded in a mourning veil; she is overcome with grief and supported by the other two Maries. This painting was famous from the day of its completion: and may be considered perhaps

« PreviousContinue »