Standing Young Woman
This charming sketch captures Helena Fourment, the second wife and favorite muse of Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. Dressed in a voluminous gown with dramatically puffed sleeves, she looks downward with a gentle expression, appearing almost shy. Rubens was utterly devoted to Helena—she was only 16 when they married, while he was 53—and he painted her more than any other model, often casting her as mythological figures. The artist uses black and red chalk to brilliant effect, with the reddish tones warming her face and hands against the cool grey of her sweeping dress, showcasing his swift, energetic style.
- Technique
- Black and red chalk
- Material
- Paper
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