Helena Fourment („Het Pelsken“)
1636/38 | Peter Paul Rubens
The posture of Rubens’s second wife, Helena Fourment (1614– 1674, married in 1630), is reminiscent of the “Venus pudica” of antiquity, the “modest Venus” covering her nakedness with both arms. In addition, Rubens was familiar with Titian’s “Girl in a Fur” (Inv. No. GG 89), whose body is also wrapped in a furlined cloak. In both paintings the contrast between the fair, soft skin and the dark, velvety fur is depicted with great sensitivity.
The posture of Rubens’s second wife, Helena Fourment (1614– 1674, married in 1630), is reminiscent of the “Venus pudica” of antiquity, the “modest Venus” covering her nakedness with both arms. In addition, Rubens was familiar with Titian’s “Girl in a Fur” (Inv. No. GG 89), whose body is also wrapped in a furlined cloak. In both paintings the contrast between the fair, soft skin and the dark, velvety fur is depicted with great sensitivity.
Artist:
Peter Paul Rubens (1577 Siegen - 1640 Antwerpen) DNB
Depiction/Person:
Helena Fourment (1614 - 1673) DNB
Time:
1636/38
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Flemish
Material/technology:
oak wood
Dimensions:
178,7 cm x 86,2 cm x 2,5 cm
Framed: 196 cm x 105 cm x 9,5 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 688
Provenance
1640 mentioned in the last will of Peter Paul Rubens; 1658 mentioned in the last will of Helena Fourment; 1730 documented in the gallery in Vienna