LIFE OF RUBENS.
xxxiii
of conferring a mark of distinguished regard on his
favourite, the Duke of Olivarez, and at the same time
to merit the esteem of the Order of Carmelites, for
whom the duke had recently erected a convent at
Loeches, commissioned Rubens to paint some pictures
to adorn the hall of that Order; and these he executed
in his grandest style and richest glow of colour*. The
same year (1623) he painted the altar-piece for the
church of St. Rombout, at Malinesf, and at the com-
mencement of the following year produced the capital
picture of “ the Adoration of the Magi,” for the church
of St. John in the same city]:.
His tranquillity suffered a painful interruption by the
loss of his wife, Elizabeth Brant, who died the 29th of
September, 1626, leaving him two sons, Albert and
Nicholas^. She was buried in the tomb of his revered
mother, in the abbey church of St. Michael, and Rubens
decorated the altar with a picture which he had exe-
cuted in Rome for the church of Sante Croce, but which,
when done, W’as found too large for the place originally
intended for its reception||.
The death of his beloved partner interrupted his
favourite pursuits, and rendered his home uncomfortable.
In order to dispel his grief, and divert his attention
from objects which incessantly renewed the remem-
brance of his loss, he quitted his residence on a tour
* For descriptions, seepp. 138—141.
■f See2?. 43, No. 125. J Seepp. 43—44.
§ Albert, for whom the archduke stood sponsor, became secre-
tary to the privy council; and Nicholas, Lord of Ramyen and other
places.
|| See p. 10, No. 18.
VOL. II. C
xxxiii
of conferring a mark of distinguished regard on his
favourite, the Duke of Olivarez, and at the same time
to merit the esteem of the Order of Carmelites, for
whom the duke had recently erected a convent at
Loeches, commissioned Rubens to paint some pictures
to adorn the hall of that Order; and these he executed
in his grandest style and richest glow of colour*. The
same year (1623) he painted the altar-piece for the
church of St. Rombout, at Malinesf, and at the com-
mencement of the following year produced the capital
picture of “ the Adoration of the Magi,” for the church
of St. John in the same city]:.
His tranquillity suffered a painful interruption by the
loss of his wife, Elizabeth Brant, who died the 29th of
September, 1626, leaving him two sons, Albert and
Nicholas^. She was buried in the tomb of his revered
mother, in the abbey church of St. Michael, and Rubens
decorated the altar with a picture which he had exe-
cuted in Rome for the church of Sante Croce, but which,
when done, W’as found too large for the place originally
intended for its reception||.
The death of his beloved partner interrupted his
favourite pursuits, and rendered his home uncomfortable.
In order to dispel his grief, and divert his attention
from objects which incessantly renewed the remem-
brance of his loss, he quitted his residence on a tour
* For descriptions, seepp. 138—141.
■f See2?. 43, No. 125. J Seepp. 43—44.
§ Albert, for whom the archduke stood sponsor, became secre-
tary to the privy council; and Nicholas, Lord of Ramyen and other
places.
|| See p. 10, No. 18.
VOL. II. C