Peter Paul Rubens Circle

Circle of PETER PAUL RUBENS (Siegen, Germany, 1577 - Antwerp, 1640)
"Male bust".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Measurements: 46 x 33 cm; 33,5 x 51 cm (frame).
This portrait of an old man follows the same human model used in Study portrait of two old men, painting by Peter Paul Rubens, currently preserved in the collection of the Dayton Art Institute (Ohio), although in this case the artist dispenses with the second face in profile and concentrates all the attention on a single character, thus reinforcing its psychological and expressive presence.
The painting stands out for the technical quality of the modeling, achieved through a loose but controlled brushstroke, characteristic of the mature Rubens. The treatment of the aged skin, furrowed with wrinkles, reddish shades and areas of warm shadow reveals a deep anatomical knowledge and a direct observation of the natural. The light, precisely directed, not only defines the volumes of the face, but also underlines the introspective character of the old man. Beyond its function as a preparatory study, the portrait acquires thematic relevance by embodying the Baroque interest in old age.
Peter Paul Rubens was a painter of the Flemish school with an international projection comparable to that of the great Italian masters of his time. His influence was decisive in the development of the European Baroque, especially in Spain. Born in Westphalia and raised in Antwerp, he received from his mother, Maria Pypelincks, a solid humanistic education that included classical languages and biblical studies, as well as early contact with prominent artists. He trained with three teachers: Tobias Verhaecht, Adam van Noort and Otto van Veen, the latter being the most influential. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined the Antwerp painters' guild in 1598 and, shortly thereafter, traveled to Italy, where he resided between 1600 and 1608, a key stage in his artistic development.