Rubens and His World

Born into the cultured and aristocratic society of the late sixteenth century, the great Flemish baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens was blessed with every possible gift. To his artistic genius and his noble, inquiring intelligence were added immense physical energy, good looks, and an attractive nature. He became the friend of kings and nobles throughout Europe; many diplomatic missions were entrusted to him, and during one such visit to England he was knighted by Charles I.