Helene Fourment with her Children Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Description of Peter Rubens’s painting Helen Foreman and Children

Rubens, one of the brightest representatives of Flemish painting, who in addition represents the Baroque, is known not only for his paintings on religious and mythological subjects, but also for his magnificent portraits. This work of art is done in oil on wood, which makes it look particularly natural and picturesque.

The artist paints a portrait of his second wife who ended up being his last true love, even though she was his first wife’s niece. As the saying goes, "all ages are suited to love," so they were 37 years apart. The entire portrait is filled with high feelings, such as unrestrained happiness, which is paired with a certain amount of excitement and responsibility, which is associated with the happiness of motherhood. From the faces and images, the portrait shows their spontaneity, ease and relaxation.

Thus, the picture is full of naturalness and vitality. But, despite all the quality of execution of the work and its aesthetics, yet any attentive viewer, can easily notice that the picture is not complete, because it has several strokes not the author’s own. This is evidenced by the third hand, which most likely should have belonged to the third child, but for some unknown reason, the work was not finished.

The strokes are very measured, in spite of the broad technique of writing, thanks to this there is no clear outline, and the clarity is achieved through the play of highlights, light and shadow.

At the same time and some incompleteness of the painting does not interfere with its overall perception, thanks to which the technique of the master is famous, which combines uniqueness and quality of performance, which distinguishes the painting of this artist, from all similar works that somehow, all the same can not compete with the works of the great master.