Description
'As a major undertaking the book is unique in that it isolates the presence of Rubens in Spain and deftly gathers together all the information relating to this exclusive aspect of the artist's career. However, Vergara finally goes far beyond his limited brief, portraying vividly both the life and times of the Spanish court, political, artistic and diplomatic intrigues and, apart from all this, a patronage system and policy of collecting which resulted in Spain acquiring some of the greatest masterpieces in the history of seventeenth-century art.' The Art Book
'Alexander Vergara's new book is the first fully to explore this curious relationship, one in which direct contacts between artist and place were limited while the indirect ties were enormously important and enduring … [a] careful yet intriguing book.' Elizabeth Alice Honig, Burlington Magazine
'Alexander Vergara's new book is the first fully to explore this curious relationship, one in which direct contacts between artist and place were limited while the indirect ties were enormously important and enduring … [a] careful yet intriguing book.' Elizabeth Alice Honig, Burlington Magazine
Présentation de l'éditeur
Rubens and his Spanish Patrons examines an important and neglected aspect of the most internationally-renowned artist of the seventeenth century. As a native of the Spanish Netherlands, Rubens found an audience among Spanish aristocratic and royal collectors, including the archduke and duchess Albert and Isabella, and Philip IV, the Spanish king for whom Rubens worked as both artist and diplomat. Focusing on the artist's production for his Spanish patrons and his visits to Spain, this study also examines the presence of Rubens' works and their reception, as well as the artistic environment, in that country during the seventeenth century.
