Artwork
Coronation of the Virgin
Coronation of the Virgin is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Peter Paul Rubens painted the Coronation of the Virgin in 1625, employing oil on canvas. The work exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style, noted for its dynamic composition and rich coloration. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents the Virgin Mary receiving a crown, a symbolic act of her heavenly exaltation. She is clothed in a purple mantle beneath a white veil, hands folded in prayer, while a robed figure in red places the crown upon her head. A bearded, white‑robed attendant observes the ceremony, and a host of cherubic angels hover around them, underscoring the divine nature of the event.
Technique & Style
Rubens utilizes a warm palette dominated by gold, brown and beige tones, creating a luminous atmosphere. Strong chiaroscuro models the figures, giving them three‑dimensional presence against a softer, muted background. The brushwork is fluid, and the composition balances movement with a tranquil, reverent mood.
History & Provenance
After its completion in the mid‑1620s, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the typical trajectory of Rubens’ works, moving from aristocratic patrons to public institutions.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch: ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.
