Helena inspired many of Peter’s personal and public portraits. Peter’s marriage with Helena yielded five children, of which one was born after his death. Shortly after his marriage with Helena, Peter designed his last tapestry for his father-in-law, Daniel Fourment. Prior to Rubens death he had created a painting in which titled the “Consequences of War.” The painting struck my interest for a variety of reasons so I decided to take an endeavor into the story behind this beautiful and magnificent artwork The “Consequences of War” painting by Peter Rubens is a representation on one of the most shameful periods in European history. The European war which spanned for thirty years, known as the Thirty Years’ war, was conducted from 1618 through 1648. The war resulted in widespread destruction across just about every major European nation. It was a time of death, starvation, sorrow, fright and agony for millions of …show more content…
The blood-red robe of Mars also provides vivid relief in the center of the work. It’s simple to find neutrality within “Consequences of War”. My initial feeling at first glance is just a marvelous dedication in battle, furthermore an abundant amount of achievement of art. Simply put, the painting portrays the violence and pain during the times. Rubens died on May 30, 1640, shortly after his creation of the “Consequences of War” painting and was buried in the church of St. James in Antwerp. Rubens successor was Jacob Jordaen since Van Dyck passed away just a year later. The influence Ruben had unintentionally left behind spread to Italy and further into the late Baroque paintings. Rubens achieved so much in his life that he was believed to have embodied the Baroque fulfillment of a Renaissance Man. An interesting asset about the “Consequences of War” painting was the fact that Rubens' attached commentary. Although lengthy, his commentary is well worth the read. I quoted the commentary directly from a blog resource I found on the