Peter Paul Rubens

Portrait of a Woman, possibly Clara Fourment (1593-1643)

Peter Paul Rubens
Portrait of a Woman, possibly Clara Fourment (1593-1643)

On view in Room 12

This woman is probably Clara Fourment from Antwerp, and her husband Peter van Hecke is hanging on the left. They belonged to Rubens’ intimate family circle, as Clara was the elder sister of Rubens’ second wife Hélène. The couple clearly live in comfort, in view of their fashionable clothing of shiny black fabrics and fine lace collars, and Clara’s ostrich feather fan.

Rubens was the leading Flemish painter of the seventeenth century. His flamboyant, baroque style influenced a whole generation of artists after him.

Technical details

More about Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most multitalented and important painters of his time. His skilfully made, colourful paintings became famous all over Europe. All the royal courts of Europe ordered work from him. His huge paintings often looked so real that people were overpowered or even shocked by them. Rubens made history paintings, landscapes, hunt paintings and portraits. He also designed sculptures, title pages for books and tapestries.

Read the full biography

Pendant

Portrait of a Man, possibly Peter van Hecke (1591-1645)

Peter Paul Rubens
Portrait of a Woman, possibly Clara Fourment (1593-1643)

On view in Room 12

Purchased with the support of the VriendenLoterij, the Ministery of Education, Culture and Science, the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation, the National Art Collections Fund, the Mondriaan Foundation, the VSB Fund, the Rembrandt Association (supported by the Prince Bernhard Cultural Fund), the Jaffé-Pierson Foundation, the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund and the Dr Hendrik Muller National Fund, 2003
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Details

General information
Artist Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - 1640 Antwerp)
Title Portrait of a Woman, possibly Clara Fourment (1593-1643)
Object name painting
Inventory number 1132
On view in Room 12
Material and technical details
Technique oil
Material panel
Dimensions 114.5 x 90.5 cm

Provenance

Vicomtesse de Spoelberch, Belgium; Léon Gauchez Gallery, Paris; sold to Edmond, Baron de Rothschild, Paris, before 1890; by inheritance to members of the Rothschild family, Château de Pregny, Geneva; Colnaghi Gallery, New York, 1983; Edward Speelman Gallery, London; on loan from a private collection, Switzerland, since 2000; purchased with the support of the VriendenLoterij, the Ministery of Education, Culture and Science, the Friends of the Mauritshuis Foundation, the Fund for the National Cultural Heritage, the Mondriaan Foundation, the VSB Fund, the Rembrandt Association, supported by the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund, the Jaffé-Pierson Foundation, the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund, the Dr Hendrik Muller National Fund, 2003