Abstract

This chapter addresses Rubens's highly productive period corresponding to the Truce of 1609–21, when the artist would secure commissions for the iconic Antwerp Crucifixions and execute a suite of complex mythological paintings, including Juno and Argus. Rarely examined alongside these works are Rubens's contemporaneous depictions of the Virgin Mary's Assumption, posited here as a via media between his previous Michelangelesque works and his increasingly Venetian approach to making pictures. The shift of stylistic allegiance from Rome to Venice has had important implications for responses to Rubens's art from a critical tradition long placing gestural, Titianesque painting and feminized, haptic colorito in opposition to the conventionally rational and masculine linearity considered a hallmark of central Italian disegno.

Keywords: Rubens; gender; the Assumption; Michelangelo; colorito; lactation; Juno

The Flemish and the Dutch masters are always languid unless they are profane. Leonardo is only to be seen in the Cena; Titian only in the Assumption; but Rubens only in the Battle of the Amazons, and Vandyck only at court. Altar-pieces, when wanted, of course either of them will supply as readily as anything else. Virgins in blue, or St. Johns in red, as many as you please. Martyrdoms also, by all means: Rubens especially delights in these. St. Peter head downwards, is interesting anatomically, writhings of impenitent thieves, and bishops having their tongues pulled out, display our powers to advantage, also. Theological instruction if required “Christ armed with thunder, to destroy the world, spares it at the intercession of St. Francis.” Last Judgments even, quite Michelangelesque, rich in twistings of limbs, with spiteful biting and scratching; and fine aerial effects in smoke in the pit. In all this, however, there is not a vestige of religious feeling or reverence. […] Mary of Nazareth must be painted if an order come for her; but (says polite Sir Peter), Catherine of Medicis, or Mary, her bodice being fuller, and better embroidered, would, if we might offer a suggestion, probably give greater satisfaction.