Rubens & Women

This book is the first to focus on Peter Paul Rubens' representations of women, challenging the popular assumption that he only painted one type of woman. The exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery will present a more nuanced view of the varied and essential role that women played in the artist's life and work, uniting and contributing to recent scholarly developments in subjects such as the identities of Rubens sitters, 17th-century artistic theory and practice, and Rubens' treatment of the human body. Rubens' women are proud and complex heroines, full of character and gravitas, creating powerful images of female power, assurance, determination, commitment, and beauty.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Dulwich Picture Gallery

The art of Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) is indelibly associated with the portrayal of the female nude, with the term 'Rubenesque' coined in the 19th century to describe a voluptuous female body. However, remarkably, a dedicated study of Rubens' representations of women has yet to be undertaken, making this book and the accompanying exhibition a groundbreaking first.

The exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, scheduled for October 2023 to January 2024, aims to challenge the prevailing notion that Rubens solely painted one type of woman. Instead, it presents a nuanced and comprehensive view of the diverse and essential roles that women played in the artist's life and work. By bringing together a diverse range of paintings and drawings from throughout Rubens' career, sourced from international lenders, the exhibition seeks to unite and contribute to recent scholarly developments in areas such as the identities of Rubens' sitters, 17th-century artistic theory and practice, and Rubens' treatment of the human body.

Rubens' evident enjoyment of painting the female figure, particularly in its sensual and unclothed form, is evident in his masterful creations. However, his women are far from mere objects of male gaze; they are proud and complex heroines, brimming with character and gravitas. No other male artist has achieved such powerful images of female power, assurance, determination, commitment, and beauty. This publication, serving as a catalogue for the works in the exhibition, will not only enrich the existing corpus of scholarly literature on Rubens but also introduce his masterpieces to new audiences. Three introductory essays, contextualizing Rubens' work, will provide a deeper understanding of his artistic vision and its relevance in contemporary debates surrounding sexuality, power, and feminism.

In conclusion, the upcoming exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery presents an opportunity to explore the art of Peter Paul Rubens in a new light, challenging prevailing notions and presenting a more nuanced and comprehensive view of his representations of women. Through the exhibition and this book, we will gain a deeper appreciation for Rubens' artistic genius and his profound contribution to the world of art.

Weight: 1096g
Dimension: 240 x 281 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781898519492