Who painted Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620?

Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620 was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1620.

Where can I see Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620?

Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620 is held by Ashmolean Museum.

What movement is Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620?

Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620 is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620

Peter Paul Rubens , 1620

Saint Claire of Assisi, 1620 is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1620 by the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, this oil on canvas portrays Saint Clare of Assisi. Executed during the height of Rubens’s mature period, the work exemplifies the Baroque sensibility that dominated the Southern Netherlands in the early seventeenth century. It is presently part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a solitary female figure, identified by her habit and hood as Saint Clare, a 13th‑century follower of Saint Francis. She sits upright on a modest chair, her right hand lifted in a gesture of prayer while her left hand rests calmly on her lap, conveying an atmosphere of quiet devotion and contemplation.

Technique & Style

Rubens employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the dark, muted backdrop to recede and the illuminated drapery to emerge with three‑dimensional presence. The rich, flowing robe is rendered with fluid brushwork and deep, saturated tones, hallmarks of the Flemish Baroque’s emphasis on dramatic lighting and vivid coloration.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of European Baroque art. Its documented provenance traces back to early seventeenth‑century patrons who commissioned religious works for devotional purposes.

Context

The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation’s call for emotionally resonant religious imagery, a directive that shaped much of Rubens’s output. By portraying Saint Clare in a serene yet dynamically lit setting, the painting aligns with contemporary efforts to inspire piety through accessible, humanized saints.