Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was a prodigious artist whose works were prized by the rulers of the royal courts across E... (more)

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) was a prodigious artist whose works were prized by the rulers of the royal courts across Europe. He was also an international diplomat, shrewd businessman, linguist, and intellectual. This extraordinary book traces the fascinating flowering and early evolution of his genius. Handsomely designed and lavishly illustrated, this volume traces Rubens's development from ambitious beginnings to his triumphant return to Antwerp in 1609--after an eight-year Italian sojourn. In Italy, Rubens studied classical sculpture, the Renaissance paintings of Michelangelo and Raphael, and the revolutionary work of Caravaggio. Once back in his native country, he integrated these influences into a style uniquely his own. The most comprehensive examination available of the artist's early years, "Rubens: A Master in the Making documents the remarkable burst of creative energy that resulted in some of the most dynamic and exciting bravura paintings ever produced. (less)

This uniquely cross-sectional approach to culture combines great art with great music, and examines the connections betw... (more)

This uniquely cross-sectional approach to culture combines great art with great music, and examines the connections between the two. Each piece of music from the carefully chosen selection takes on a new dimension and provides a musical context to the work of leading painters and sculptors. This fascinating series broadens our view of the music itself. Popular opinion has dealt harshly with Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640): there are too many gods and goddesses in his paintings and the women are too large. But through changing fashions, the strength and vigour of his work are still a marvel: in a Rubens even the darkness seems to glow. On this audio, the world of Rubens is given a musical perspective with a carefully chosen selection of pieces by the finest composers of his time. (less)