DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62819#0032
xxiv
LIFE OF RUBENS.
to congratulate him on his return, and to do homage to
his talents : but notwithstanding the ssattering reception
he met in all quarters, and the kindnesses of friends and
relations, he felt a languor and depression of spirits, a
dissatisfaction with every thing around him; so much
so that he determined upon returning to Italy. The
Archduke Albert and the Duchess Isabella, to whom
the character and conduct of the artist during his
absence in Italy and Spain were well known, being
informed of his intentions, and considering him too
valuable an ornament to their court to lose, commanded
his presence at Brussels; on which occasion the duke
entered into familiar conversation with him relative to
the occurrences in the various courts which he had
visited, particularly that of Madrid, and concluded the
conference by expressing a wish that he would paint the
portraits of himself and the archduchess. In order to
induce Rubens to relinquish the idea of quitting Flan-
ders, the duke appointed him painter to the court with
a considerable pension, and finally honoured him with
the gold key. Thus distinguished by marks of high
favour from their highnesses, and civilities from the
nobility, his meditated return to Italy was abandoned;
but in order to be enabled to pursue his profession free
from the interruptions of a court, he solicited and ob-
tained permission to establish himself at Antwerp. In
that city he shortly afterwards purchased a spacious
house, which he greatly embellished, and rendered in
every respect commodious for his art*.
* Views of this house, with its courts and gardens, are engraved,
in two plates, by Harrewyns, 1684.
LIFE OF RUBENS.
to congratulate him on his return, and to do homage to
his talents : but notwithstanding the ssattering reception
he met in all quarters, and the kindnesses of friends and
relations, he felt a languor and depression of spirits, a
dissatisfaction with every thing around him; so much
so that he determined upon returning to Italy. The
Archduke Albert and the Duchess Isabella, to whom
the character and conduct of the artist during his
absence in Italy and Spain were well known, being
informed of his intentions, and considering him too
valuable an ornament to their court to lose, commanded
his presence at Brussels; on which occasion the duke
entered into familiar conversation with him relative to
the occurrences in the various courts which he had
visited, particularly that of Madrid, and concluded the
conference by expressing a wish that he would paint the
portraits of himself and the archduchess. In order to
induce Rubens to relinquish the idea of quitting Flan-
ders, the duke appointed him painter to the court with
a considerable pension, and finally honoured him with
the gold key. Thus distinguished by marks of high
favour from their highnesses, and civilities from the
nobility, his meditated return to Italy was abandoned;
but in order to be enabled to pursue his profession free
from the interruptions of a court, he solicited and ob-
tained permission to establish himself at Antwerp. In
that city he shortly afterwards purchased a spacious
house, which he greatly embellished, and rendered in
every respect commodious for his art*.
* Views of this house, with its courts and gardens, are engraved,
in two plates, by Harrewyns, 1684.