Portrait of Helena Fourment, Rubens' second wife, wearing a fur coat over her shoulders (1767)
Original title: Portrait of Helena Fourment, Rubens' second wife, wearing a fur coat over her shoulders
kurzbeschreibung
What sets this print apart from other portraits of Helena Fourment is the fur mantle draped over her shoulders, which takes on a starring role. Thomas Chambars committed the motif to paper as an etching in 1767. The trimmed impression measures 50.2 × 36.1 cm.
Description
Helena Fourment stands centrally, her hands folded in front of her body. She wears a dress with a striking bodice, a fur over her shoulders, and a hat adorned with feathers. A dark, blurred background makes the figure stand out. Diffuse light teases out the contours and textures of the garment and hat. Everything remains in shades of grey.
Context
Helena Fourment became Peter Paul Rubens's second wife in 1630. The model was a painting by Rubens, made around 1638. The English engraver Thomas Chambars created the etching in 1767, more than a hundred years after Rubens's death. Reproductive prints of this kind were common in the 18th century to make paintings known to a wider public.
Impact
The dark surroundings and diffuse light give the scene a quiet, intimate mood. The delicate lines of the etching make the fur and feathered hat almost tangible and draw the viewer closer.
Technique
The etching uses etched lines that produce a nuanced chiaroscuro in greyscale. This allows precise renderings of fabrics and details such as the fine feathers and the fur trim.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)