Rubens was one of the most prolific artist of the Borque. He was not only an artist, but a diplomat, scholar, amateur architect, and could speak several languages. . Helping to negotiate peace between Spain and England. (Neret )
Rubens setup studios throughout the European continent. Studios which allow him to increase his production and transpose his ideas to innumerable canvases, sculpture, tapestries and engravings. ( Neret )
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Peter_Paul_Rubens_-_The_Judgment_of_Paris_-_WGA20312.jpg
The Judgement of Paris is one of many themes that Rubens revisited. The work is lyrical throughout its composition. The poses and gestures of each figure a reaction to the others. This helps the eye arch across the canvas before returning to investigate the intricacies of the each froms. The employ of light and shadow frame the areas of interest helping to focus the viewers gaze. The bright saturated colors of the foreground help the bodies burst off the canvas while the more muted colors of the background helps to push the scenery into the distance.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgtL-BHQBDFmlMirzOYe7yF8SChMhQyZ-W1QnSPd8ozDa-HAUT-4A5LZNAkGHCH-FBtEjb6BiiaRRiN3lTOJowHQGmEbnqyM-DsF9PCUu1Vg2O5FPal4eA_LG9iBtUJwX60l0oPM0p6Tx/s1600/rubens.jpg
Rubens was a master of the form with the ability to capture all the minute turns of the surface. His use of cross hatching to build and define the surfaces of the musculature disappears when viewed as a whole. Here you can see how is understanding of gesture exhibited in his drawing translates to his paintings.
This skill and his ability to depict his models flesh in a very life like way puts Rubens as one of the premiere painters of all time.
Neret, Gilles. Rubens. Koln: Taschen, 2004. Print.
