Portrait of Isabella Brant by Peter Paul Rubens, painting, 1620-1625

Portrait of Isabella Brant

Peter Paul Rubens

Year
1620-1625
Medium
oil on wood
Dimensions
Framed: 83 x 73.5 x 9 cm (32 11/16 x 28 15/16 x 3 9/16 in.); Unframed: 53 x 46 cm (20 7/8 x 18 1/8 in.)
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art

About This Artwork

The Portrait of Isabella Brant is a celebrated oil on wood painting created by Peter Paul Rubens between 1620 and 1625. This intimate panel painting depicts the artist’s first wife, Isabella Brant (1591–1626), whom he married in 1609. The work exemplifies the dynamic energy and precise execution that defined the High Baroque period in Northern Europe.

As the preeminent painter of his time in what is now Belgium, Rubens often utilized a refined technique appropriate for the wood support, achieving a remarkable luminosity in the sitter’s face and an attention to textile detail typical of Flemish masters. Unlike the grand mythological canvases often associated with the master, this piece emphasizes personal character and naturalistic observation. Isabella is presented in rich, contemporary clothing, reflecting her high social standing in Antwerp and the mastery of portraiture for which Rubens was renowned. The subtle play of light against the wood panel surface highlights her thoughtful expression and rich jewelry.

The painting remains an essential example of 17th-century portraiture, showcasing Rubens’s mastery of the medium and providing a moving record of his personal life. This significant piece of Flemish art is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural importance, high-resolution images of the Portrait of Isabella Brant frequently enter the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts globally to study and create quality prints of this masterful work.

Cultural & Historical Context

Classification
Painting
Culture
Belgium

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