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Art since 1900

European and American Art

In 1608 Rubens returned to his native city of Antwerp after a long stay in Italy. Over the next ten years he gradually moved from a painting style of violent movement and dramatic contrasts of light and shade to a more balanced, classical style, derived in part from the ancient Roman sculpture that he had seen in Italy. The composition of this painting is based on ancient Roman cameo carvings but it is a free adaptation rather than a copy -- Rubens has transmuted an ancient Roman couple from stone back to human flesh.

The identity of the couple remains uncertain. It is generally assumed that they represent an emperor and his wife, or at least members of the imperial family. The most likely candidates are Germanicus Caesar and his wife Agrippina: Germanicus, though not an emperor, was an outstanding military leader, and his wife was regarded as a notable example of marital devotion.