DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62819#0055
LIFE OF RUBENS.
xlvii
quence of his malady, by the kindness of the prince,
who condescended to visit him at his house, where he
remained a considerable time in conversation with
him, and examining the rich collection of pictures,
statues, and other objects of art with which his
mansion abounded.
He now bade adieu to the Court and all political
affairs; the few remaining years of his life were
devoted to the enjoyment of domestic peace, and the
agreeable pursuit of his favourite studies. Occasionally
he passed a few months at his chateau of Stein, near
Malines, where he amused himself in painting those
delightful landscapes which excite the admiration of
every connoisseur, and are alone sufficient to immor-
talize his name: many of these were probably the last
efforts of his pencil. He still had abundance of occu-
pation for himself and assistants, as appears by letters
dated 1637 and 1638, written to a Mr. Geldorp, in
answer to an order for an altar-piece representing the
martyrdom of St. Peter, destined for the church dedi-
cated to that saint at Cologne*. From various causes
(perhaps his declining health was one) this picture was
not completed for three years, and it remained in his
possession until his decease. His increasing debility
during the last two years of his life confined him
entirely to easel pictures, sketches, and drawings; his
attention was also much engaged in superintending the
engraving of his works f, which were executed in a
* For description see p. 111.
j* To this he appears to have always paid the most vigilant atten-
tion, as is manifest by most of the prints differing more or less
from the pictures ; omissions, additions, and alterations in forms
xlvii
quence of his malady, by the kindness of the prince,
who condescended to visit him at his house, where he
remained a considerable time in conversation with
him, and examining the rich collection of pictures,
statues, and other objects of art with which his
mansion abounded.
He now bade adieu to the Court and all political
affairs; the few remaining years of his life were
devoted to the enjoyment of domestic peace, and the
agreeable pursuit of his favourite studies. Occasionally
he passed a few months at his chateau of Stein, near
Malines, where he amused himself in painting those
delightful landscapes which excite the admiration of
every connoisseur, and are alone sufficient to immor-
talize his name: many of these were probably the last
efforts of his pencil. He still had abundance of occu-
pation for himself and assistants, as appears by letters
dated 1637 and 1638, written to a Mr. Geldorp, in
answer to an order for an altar-piece representing the
martyrdom of St. Peter, destined for the church dedi-
cated to that saint at Cologne*. From various causes
(perhaps his declining health was one) this picture was
not completed for three years, and it remained in his
possession until his decease. His increasing debility
during the last two years of his life confined him
entirely to easel pictures, sketches, and drawings; his
attention was also much engaged in superintending the
engraving of his works f, which were executed in a
* For description see p. 111.
j* To this he appears to have always paid the most vigilant atten-
tion, as is manifest by most of the prints differing more or less
from the pictures ; omissions, additions, and alterations in forms