Carolus, Duke of Lower Lorraine and Gerberga
Original title: Carolus, Duke of Lower Lorraine and Gerberga
kurzbeschreibung
Peter Paul Rubens drew two portraits of rulers in brown ink: Carolus, Duke of Lower Lorraine, and his wife Gerberga. This undated sheet measures 14 x 20.6 cm and belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
Two figures stand facing each other: on the left, a man in armor with a helmet-like headpiece; on the right, a woman wearing a crown and a garment with an ornamental collar. Their heads are placed symmetrically in the center of the sheet, both gazing slightly to the left. Brown and gray tones dominate the monochrome image, the light appears even, and shadows are absent. Handwritten notes and pencil lines complete the picture.
Context
The drawing was presumably made as a preparatory study for a larger painting featuring the historical figures Carolus and Gerberga. Carolus (Charles) was Duke of Lower Lorraine in the 10th century, and Gerberga was his wife. Rubens often took up historical subjects and frequently made preparatory drawings for commissioned works, whether for panel paintings or prints.
Impact
The symmetrical layout and the calm, frontal posture of the figures give the sheet a balanced, dignified presence. The wealth of detail and the fine penwork create a noble, historicizing effect reminiscent of Renaissance portraits.
Technique
Pen and brown ink on paper form the basis, with pencil lines also visible. The strokes are precise, using fine hatching to bring out the armor and fabrics in three dimensions. At 14 x 20.6 cm, this is a compact study sheet.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)