Who painted St. Albert of Louvain?

St. Albert of Louvain was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1620.

Where can I see St. Albert of Louvain?

St. Albert of Louvain is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is St. Albert of Louvain?

St. Albert of Louvain is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

St. Albert of Louvain

Peter Paul Rubens , 1620

St. Albert of Louvain is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. This oil on panel painting, St.

About this work

Overview

This oil on panel painting, St. Albert of Louvain, is one of 39 preparatory studies for a ceiling decoration project in a Jesuit church.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Albert of Louvain, a 12th-century martyr and patron saint of Archduke Albert, governor of the Spanish Netherlands, floating on a cloud with his robes swirling around him.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Rubens' use of dramatic foreshortening and bold perspective to create an illusion of depth, making the saint appear to hover above the viewer. Thin layers of oil paint achieve a glowing effect.

History & Provenance

Rubens created this study as a proposal for a major project, presenting highly finished sketches to his patrons. The painting was part of a larger commission to decorate the Jesuit church in Antwerp.