I am a peace loving man. I believe that it ought to be the first wish of every honest man to live and tranquility of mind. I am sorry that all kings and princes are not of this humor. The words of Peter Paul Rubens writing to a friend in france in sixteen thirty six a time when the Catholic Church was fighting to counter the effects of the reformation. His allegorical canvas the consequences of war is considered one of the very first anti war images rubens at once a catholic and a humanist achieved superstar status in his day and remains a towering figure in the history of western european art. And if you could do everything to the very highest standards of the he was among the most paneuropean artists of his day or the favorite painter of europes leading corps they talian art served him as a prime source of inspiration. Assuming the limits and oh he stole with his eyes the theres a reason hes called one of the biggest thieves in art history. You could study very been seen entire lifet
he landed a major assignment in paris it was commissioned by maria de medicine the mother of the french king. a good twenty years earlier he had been among the guests at her wedding in florence now she asked him to organize the opulent decoration of a gallery and the newly built looks. completed a series of twenty one paintings glorifying episodes in the life of maria domenici . he spent four years developing the impressive cycle during which time french painters and artisans were barred access to the gallery. cycle conceived for the exclusive viewing of france s nobility and power brokers is still one of the country s most prized cultural treasures.