Description of the painting by Peter Rubens “Isabella Brant”

Description of the painting by Peter Rubens Isabella Brant

The painting “Isabella Brant” by Peter Paul Rubens was finished by him in 1926. At the moment, the canvas is the property of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It depicts the first wife of the painter a few months before his death. The fact is that she died from the plague, having barely crossed the thirty-year milestone. The portrait is noticeable as the artist loved and appreciated his spouse, who presented him with three children. He writes it without embellishment.

The wife of the affixed painter is presented to the audience as she is. The husband admires her and does not wish to attribute his wife mythical, unrealistic beauty. He likes her a bit plump, with lively eyes, raised surprised eyebrows-threads, flushed cheeks, a pointed, long nose and warm, gentle motherly hands. There is no doubt that the author of the portrait considers his model an ideal of beauty. This is because its beauty is not so much external as internal, spiritual.

From the inspired face of Isabella Brant comes tangible good and participation. The wife and husband directly overlook each other, not hiding anything, they are very close, they support and help each other in everything. Not surprisingly, in his letters to friends Rubens expressed bitter regret about the sudden death of his wife, it was very difficult for him to lose such a well-behaved, uncritical, optimistic and empathic person.

The artist appreciated his spouse above all else, and this he shows with caring strokes that draw a high, snow-white chest, surrounded by light lace ornaments. She has a refined dress in the latest fashion of those times, embroidered with patterns and stones, the brilliance of which we notice on her corset. Isabella is dressed in an expensive black fur coat, which indicates prosperity, well-being and care, with which she is surrounded.


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Description of the painting by Peter Rubens “Isabella Brant”