Rubens' Apostles Series
Around 1612 Peter Paul Rubens made a series of portraits of the twelve apostles, including Paul but without Jude. Originally a painting with the 'Savior of the World' was part of the series, but it has been lost.
Rubens made the half-portraits life-size. Each apostle has an attribute, a symbol by which he can be identified. They were depicted as strong men, with impressive old faces. Rubens may have been influenced by Michelangelo, after his trip to Italy.
The Duke of Lerma was a powerful minister of the Spanish king Philip III. Rubens had portrayed him in 1603.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Andrew
oil on panel (108 × 84 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Acts 1:13
This is one portrait in the series that Rubens made on all the apostles. Andrew is carrying his attribute: the cross he may have died on.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Bartholomew
oil on panel (108 × 84 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Acts 1:13
Little is written in the Bible about the apostle Bartholomew. He is named a few times in lists of Jesus' followers.
Rubens shows him holding a knife. That refers to one account of Bartholomew's death: it is said that he was flayed alive.
This panel is part of a series of apostle portraits that Rubens made around 1612.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St James the Elder
oil on panel (108 × 84 cm) — 1612-1613
This work is linked to Acts 12:2
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. James is identified by his pilgrim's attributes: the hat and the staff.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St James the Minor
oil on panel (108 × 84 cm) — 1612-1613
This work is linked to James 1:1
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. James the Minor is identified by his attribute: a fuller's hammer. Legend has it that James was killed with his own tool.
In the roman-catholic tradition the apostle James the Minor is considered the author of the Epistle of James.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St John the Apostle
oil on panel (108 × 83 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Revelation 22:8
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. St John can be identified by the goblet: legend has it that someone tried to kill him by serving him poisoned wine. The murder attempt failed: John is said to have died a natural death.
John, a fisherman, was a brother of St James. He, Peter and James were the disciples that stood closest to Jesus. John is often mentioned as the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Matthew
oil on panel (107 × 82 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Matthew 1:1
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. Matthew is shown holding a weapon. The weapon refers to the martyrdom which the catholic church says he suffered.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Matthias
oil on panel (108 × 84 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Acts 1:23
After Judas' departure the apostles felt they should be twelve again. There were two candidates: a Joseph and a certain Matthias. Lots were cast and Matthias it was.
The axe in his hand refers to his death. According to an unconfirmed story Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded, in Jerusalem.
This panel belongs to a series of portraits Rubens made of the apostles.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Paul
oil on panel (108 × 83 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Ephesians 1:1
Please scroll down to read more information about this work.
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. All were shown with an attribute, a personal symbol. Rubens shows Paul with a sword and a book. The book refers to the teachings of Jesus which he helped spreading. The sword can have multiple meanings.
In his letter to the Christians of Ephesus Paul speaks of "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17).
The sword may also refer to his early life as a persecutor of Christians. Or it may refer to his alleged beheading: as a Roman citizen he had the right to be decapitated instead of being tortured to death.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Peter
oil on panel (107 × 82 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to 1 Peter 1:1
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. Peter was depicted holding a pair of keys, his common symbol: the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Philip
oil on panel (107 × 82 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Mark 3:18
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. Philip is shown carrying a cross. Tradition has it he was crucified after spreading the Gospel together with Bartholomew in Phrygia, a kingdom in Antatolia.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Simon
oil on panel (108 × 83 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to Mark 3:18
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. All are identified by an attribute. Simon holds a saw in his left hand. According to a tradition he was put to death with a saw.
The Bible doesn't say much about this Simon. He is only mentioned in lists of all apostles. To distinguish him from Peter, who was also called Simon, this Simon was called Simon the Zealot or Simon Kananaios.
Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
St Thomas
oil on panel (108 × 83 cm) — c. 1611
This work is linked to John 11:16
Around 1612 Rubens made a series of portraits of the apostles, in commission of the duke of Lerma. All paintings show an attribute to identify the apostle. Thomas holds a spear, the weapon that supposedly killed him and made him a martyr.
'Art and the Bible > arts (그림설명)' 카테고리의 다른 글
| Jesus Handing the Keys to Peter (내가 천국열쇠를 너에게 주리니) (0) | 2016.03.13 |
|---|---|
| Peter and John Running to the Tomb(베드로와 요한이 무덤으로 달려가다) (0) | 2016.03.13 |
| 주 예수여 오시옵소서 (0) | 2016.03.12 |
| 크고 흰 보좌에서 심판을 내리시다 (0) | 2016.03.12 |
| 천 년 왕국 (0) | 2016.03.12 |