Saints (2 vols.)

In the present work all Ruben's paintings, oil sketches and drawings of Saints or episodes from their lives are discussed systematically.

Ruben's representations of Saints are closely linked with the changed attitudes in the religious and cultural life of the Sourthern Netherlands as a result of the application of the Decrees of the Council of Trent. It is striking to see how Rubens evolved an artistic language fully adapted to this new iconography, which stressed primarily the heroic and ascetic aspects of the Saints' lives. In the present work all Ruben's paintings, oil sketches and drawings of Saints or episodes from their lives are discussed systematically. The catalogue begins with entries on groups such as All Saints, Apostles, Evangelists and Fathers of the Church, and continues with works representing single Saints, arranged alphabetically. The catalogue raisonné is preceded by an introductory text, in which the author discusses Ruben's interpretations of hagiographic subjects. The present volume contains 139 illustrations.