Peter Paul Rubens
(1577-1640)
Helene Fourment mit ihrem erstgeborenen Sohn Frans,
um 1632
Material / Technology / Carrier
Eichenholz
Dimensions of the object
145 x 102 cm
Displayed
AP OG Saal VIII
Acquisition
1698 durch Kurfürst Max Emanuel von Gisbert van Colen erworben
Stock
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München
Citation
Peter Paul Rubens, Helene Fourment mit ihrem erstgeborenen Sohn Frans, um 1632, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/OrLbk3OG1V (Last updated on 28.02.2023)
The depiction of the naked young Frans is reminiscent of pictures of the Christ Child sitting on Mary’s lap. With this, Rubens added a further facet to this portrait of his wife in addition to its echoing the iconography of pictures of the Virgin Mary: Even though this is a representative portrait, Helene is depicted, first and foremost, as a young mother and also as the embodiment of the Christian family ideal. Emphasised by the loose-fitting neckline, her bust is an allusion to breast-feeding and hence to the close bond between mother and child.
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