Helena Fourment (1614–1673), and Their Son Frans (1633–1678)
Original title: Rubens, Helena Fourment (1614–1673), and Their Son Frans (1633–1678)
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1635 Peter Paul Rubens painted himself, his second wife Helena Fourment and their son Frans as a family scene. This oil on wood belongs to the portraits the artist made of his closest circle in his later years.
Description
Helena Fourment wears a dark, richly decorated dress trimmed with fur and holds a fan. She is the focal point of the arrangement. To her right, Rubens appears in a dark suit and fur cap, his gaze turned aside. In front of the parents stands little Frans in a light garment with a blue sash, extending one hand. Classical columns, a statue and a parrot on a pedestal form the setting. Light emphasises the fabric of the garments and the details of the space, setting strong contrasts between light and dark.
Context
Made around 1635, the picture falls in the years after Rubens's second marriage. In 1630 he had married Helena Fourment, who often served him as a model. The portrait offers a glimpse into the private life of the painter and his family – a subject that gained more weight in his late work. It joins a series of family pictures made during this period.
Impact
A familiar yet formal mood pervades the image, carried by strong colours and precise rendering. The layout draws the eye to the child, while the parents appear dignified and calm – thus emphasising the family's closeness.
Technique
The work is painted in oil on wood, a process familiar to Rubens that allows fine details and rich tonal gradations. The handling uses light and dark, as typical of the Baroque, to bring out physicality and surface texture.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)