Peter Paul Rubens Quotes

13 Sourced Quotes

[those paintings that are] done entirely by my hand......[those,]done by the hand of a master skillfull in that department......but this one not being finished, would be entirely retouched by my own hand, and by this means would pass as original; done by one of my pupils, but the whole retouched by my hand.

Peter Paul Rubens
I should not base it[1] on the estimate of Rome but leave it to the discretion of His Highness [the Duke of Mantua]......though the figures [of the altar-piece Rubens recently made c, 1607] but withdraw it for the light in the church was to strong there] are saints, they have no special attributes or insignia that could not be applied to any other saints of similar rank.

Peter Paul Rubens
I am by nature and inclination a peaceful man, the sworn enemy to disputes, lawsuits and quarrels both public and private.

Peter Paul Rubens
My talent is such that no undertaking, however vast in size... has ever surpassed my courage.

Peter Paul Rubens
I have not yet made up my mind whether to remain in my own country Flanders or to return forever to Rome......[I have received] an invitation on the most favorable terms......Here they also do not fail to make every effort to keep me by every sort of compliment. The Archduke and the Most Serene Infanta have had letters written urging me to remain in their service. The offers are very generous but I have little desire to become a courtier again.

Peter Paul Rubens
[were I] not detained here by age and by the gout which renders me useless, I should go there to enjoy with my own eyes and admire the perfection of such worthy works......[I pray] look upon all the marvels of your hand......before I close my eyes forever.

Peter Paul Rubens
I have heard that you have found the secret of engraving on copper on white ground, as Elsheimer did. To bite the plate with acid, he covered the copper with a white paste. He then drew with the point down to the metal, which is of reddish color, and it looked as if he were drawing with red crayon on white paper. I cannot remember the composition of this write paste, although he communicated it to me.

Peter Paul Rubens
Nearby......are monsters personifying Pestilence and Famine, those inseparable partners of War. On the ground, turning her back, lies a woman with a broken lute representing Harmony.... [T]here is also a mother with a child in her arms indicating that fecundity, procreation and charity are thwarted by War, which corrupts and destroys everything. [Rubens is describing his painting 'The Horrors of War' 1637] [4]

Peter Paul Rubens
The light falls so unfavorably on the altar that one can hardly discern the figures or enjoy the beauty of color and the delicacy of the heads and draperies which I executed with great care from nature and completely successfully according to the judgement of all. Therefore, seeing that all the merit in the work is thrown away and since I cannot obtain the honor due my efforts unless the results can be seen, I do not think I will unveil it.

Peter Paul Rubens
We are exhausted [in Antwerp] and have endured so much that this war seems without purpose......[and that it seemed] strange that Spain, which provides so little for the needs of this country......has an abundance of means to wage an offensive war elsewhere.

Peter Paul Rubens
I have neither time to live nor to write. I am therefore cheating my art by stealing a few evening hours to write this most inadequate and negligent reply to the courteous and elegant letters of yours.

Peter Paul Rubens
I was not yet inclined to live the life of a celibate......I have taken a young wife of honest but middle-class family although everyone tried to persuade me to make a court marriage. But I feared pride, that inherent vice of the nobility, particularly in that sex, and that is why I chose one who would not blush to see me take my brushes in hand. And to tell the truth it would have been hard for me to exchange the priceless treasure of liberty for the embraces of an old woman.

Peter Paul Rubens
[on the high seas] the English are increasing their insolence and barbarity. [T]hey cut to pieces the captain of a ship coming from Spain and threw all the crew into the sea for having defended themselves valiantly.

Peter Paul Rubens