in a portrait rubin s painted shortly after their wedding the couple holds hands and appears almost relaxed their gaze alert. the painting lacks the formality of the stiff portraits of men and women common at the time. this is a young couple looking to the future with confidence and optimism. it was a time of fresh hope in antwerp third catholic spanish netherlands had agreed a ceasefire with the northern provinces the royal couple the archduchess isabella and archduke albert had heard of ruben success and asked him to enter their service as court painter. ruben s agree but