An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Portrait of Isabella Brantc. 1620–25
Peter Paul Rubens
Isabella Brant was Rubens’s first wife. He painted her many times in many different ways before she died at the age of 35 (she is a model for a nymph in the other work by Rubens in this room). This intimate portrait, painted at least five years before her death, suggests the close relationship between the painter and sitter through the warm palette, the luscious brushstrokes, and her lively expression.
First, Rubens painted Isabella’s face, then at a later date he added hands.
oil on wood
Framed: 83 x 73.5 x 9 cm (32 11/16 x 28 15/16 x 3 9/16 in.); Unframed: 53 x 46 cm (20 7/8 x 18 1/8 in.)
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
In a quiet room, where time seemed to weave itself into the very fabric of the air, an artist captured more than just an image. He captured a fleeting moment of love and life. This was the world of Peter Paul Rubens, where every stroke of the brush told a story richer than the hues upon the canvas. At the heart of it all was Isabella Brant, his first wife and a muse who danced through his imagination.
Isabella was a striking woman, her beauty guiding each of Rubens's brushes as he immortalized her in countless forms. They say love can inspire creation, and for these two, inspiration was woven deep into their shared experiences. In each portrait, Rubens poured his heart—sometimes as a nymph, other times in contemplative pose—but always with an unmistakable connection that spoke volumes.
One particular painting, made at least five years before the shadows of illness began to loom, captures Isabella with a warmth that feels almost palpable. The colors swirl together in a gentle harmony, a soft palette that mirrors their profound relationship. Rubens’s brush, laden with emotion, dances across the canvas, bringing forth luscious textures that invite the viewer closer. Isabella’s lively expression—an echo of joy and vitality—seems to smile back at those who dare look upon her.
She was only 35 when the world would lose her, but here, in this intimate portrait, she remains timeless. The artwork serves not just as a representation of her visage but as a testament to their bond. In this moment, under Rubens’s watchful gaze, Isabella Brant is forever young, forever alive, her spirit entwined with the artistry of love that defies the passage of time.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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