PREP NOTES FOR LESSON 8 In this lesson, your children will hear how Rubens was a model student. Help children to make connections with Rubens. Are they reading a book? Are they studying a language? If so, then they are learning like Rubens. Discuss how what they do now may be important to future opportunities. Rubens Lesson 8 Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
Have you ever worked hard at something in order to become good at it? Rubens was a hard worker when it came to studying languages and making art. His ability to write and speak well helped him to communicate with royalty in a number of nations, where his paintings caused a sensation. “Peter Paul, come play ball with us”, called his uncle from the open window. “Come, I’ve reserved a place for you with the big boys.” “You’ll never pull his long nose from that book. It must be stuck,” called one of the older boys. Peter Paul barely heard the taunting, for his head was indeed buried in a copy of The Iliad by Homer. As he deciphered the Greek language, he found Hector and Achilles engaged in a long battle with many twists and turns. Now the Greek god, Zeus, had weighed
their lives on a golden scale to determine their fates. The engaging story would not release him for a simple game of ball. From age nine to thirteen, Peter Paul Rubens went to school and studied the languages of Latin and Greek. This allowed him to read classic books by great writers of the past. His activities as a child are described as “one long course of study” by his uncle. At thirteen, he decided to become a painter and was in an apprenticeship soon after (Rooses). He served as an apprentice to three established masters: his uncle, Verhaecht; van Noort; and van Veen. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted into Antwerp’s professional guild for painters. Always learning, Rubens wrote and spoke extremely well in five languages. He would later conduct business with royalty in the countries of France, England, Italy, and Spain. He was called “the prince of painters and the painter of princes.” While painting portraits, he listened as rulers of nations told him their opinions. Traveling from country to country as a court painter, he was used as a diplomat, carrying messages from one monarchy to another. Rubens always returned to the Netherlands, where he lived for most of his life. There, he ran a prosperous studio with many apprentices of his own. He was respected by all. It was said that he kept a good home, and was a devoted father and husband. Rubens was a devout Catholic and painted pictures for Roman Catholic churches as well as for homes and castles. Rubens’ exuberant Baroque style brought life to any setting. He became a world-renowned artist during his lifetime.
25
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software