The Glorification of the Eucharist

The Glorification of the Eucharist, painted by Peter Paul Rubens between 1630 and 1632, is a monumental example of Baroque religious imagery. Executed in oil on wood, this piece served as a modello, or detailed preliminary sketch, for a series of tapestries commissioned by Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain. The large scale and dramatic composition exemplify Rubens’s mature style, characterized by dynamic movement, intense color, and rich theological symbolism intended to reinforce Catholic doctrine during the Counter-Reformation period.

The central iconography centers on the centrality of the Eucharist, presented here as triumphing over spiritual and physical death. In the upper register, the consecrated host is displayed, often held aloft by numerous attendant Angels in a burst of celestial light, emphasizing the divine presence of Christ. Below the divine scene, the terrestrial realm is depicted struggling with mortality; Skeletons symbolizing death and writhing Snakes representing sin are vanquished and subdued by the sacrificial power of the sacrament. The piece integrates prominent biblical figures, including an interpretation of Saint Paul, who looks upward toward the glorious spectacle, reinforcing the work’s theological significance.

This highly finished panel demonstrates the meticulous preparation required for the final tapestry cartoons, showcasing Rubens’s command of composition and technique even in preparatory stages. The work is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), where it remains a key example of Flemish Baroque painting. Due to the historical importance of the cycle, high-quality prints and reproductions of this public domain artwork allow broader study of the master’s preparatory process and the context of 17th-century European religious art.