Die Amazonenschlacht aus den Werkstätten des jungen Peter Paul Rubens und Jan Brueghel des Älteren

Abstract

The battle of Amazons from the workshop of young Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder
The panel painting „The battle of Amazons“ is considered the earliest painting by the Rubens workshop. In addition, it is considered the first example of collaboration between Jan Brueghel the Elder and nine years younger Rubens. Today the best version is in the picture gallery in Sanssouci Park. A complete x-ray and IRR survey was made during the preparation of the exhibition in the Rubenshuis Antwerp. This was done in collaboration with the conservation course of Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden. The result offers a fascinating insight into the division of work between the two painters. Underdrawings, the closeness of the various groups of persons and the figures’ interaction are clearly perceivable. The painting technique corresponds to the differentiation of the painting’s elements and their significance. The clear difference of artistic quality of the groups of figures is confusing to many observers. This is why this painting has been under continuing discussion for decades. It offers many surprises with regard to Rubens’ wealth of thought and visual competence.