Artwork

Satyr and Girl with a Basket of Fruit

Satyr and Girl with a Basket of Fruit, by Peter Paul Rubens, unspecified, 1612
Satyr and Girl with a Basket of Fruit, by Peter Paul Rubens, unspecified, 1612

Satyr and Girl with a Basket of Fruit is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

About this work

Overview

The painting 'Satyr and Girl with a Basket of Fruit' is a work by Peter Paul Rubens, created in 1612. It is a representative piece of the Flemish Baroque style, characterized by its vivid and dynamic depiction of a mythological scene.

Subject & Meaning

The scene features a satyr, identifiable by his goat horns and wild hair, leaning in towards a girl dressed in red, who holds a basket filled with various fruits. The interaction between the figures suggests a narrative rooted in mythology or allegory.

Technique & Style

The painting showcases Rubens' mastery of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume. The dark background serves to highlight the faces and figures of the satyr and the girl.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister collection. As a work from 1612, it reflects Rubens' early engagement with the Flemish Baroque movement and his interest in classical and mythological themes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Peter Paul Rubens

Artist

Peter Paul Rubens

Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch: ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.