1. Modern map of the Low Countries and France

2. Northern NetherlandsSouthern Netherlands The NetherlandsBelgium HollandFlanders DutchFlemish Independent republicRuled by Kingdom of Spain Protestant (Calvinist)CatholicSociety dominated by middle class:upper class (aristocracy):

3. Self-Portrait (in his early 60s) c. 1638-40 Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) When Rubens painted this self-portrait, he bore the title Knight Secretary to His Majesty’s Privy Council and Gentleman of the Household of Her Serene Highness Princess Isabella. He had also been knighted by King Philip IV of Spain and Charles I of England. To this day, the English refer to him as Sir Peter Paul Rubens. During a sojourn in England he also received an honorary degree from Cambridge University.

4. Rubens, Triptych of the Raising of the Cross, 1610-11 Central panel of triptych (about 15 feet high) Note: The elevation and display of of Christ’s body relates to the contro- versial doctrine of “real presence.”

5. Rubens, Raising of the Cross, 1610-11Raphael, Galatea, c. 1513 Principles of design reflect those of the Italian High Renaissance.

6. Detail of Raising of the Cross Laocoön (pronounced “Lay-ock- oh-on”)—a famous classical statue Rubens was also much influenced by classical sculpture.

7. Rubens, Raising of the Cross, 1610-11 Rembrandt, Blinding of Samson, 1636 RUBENS vs. REMBRANDT

8. Detail of Raising of the Cross Detail of Rembrandt’s Blinding of Samson RUBENS vs. REMBRANDT

9. Raising of the Cross, 1610-11 Rape (or Abduction) of the Daughters of Leucippus, c. 1620

10. Rubens, Daughters of Leucippus, c. 1620 Bernini, Apollo & Daphne, 1622-23

11. Daughters of LeucippusBernini, Ecstasy of St. Teresa

12. Modern map of France Modern map of France showing its historical regions, including the Lorraine, home of Georges de la Tour

13. Georges de la Tour, Joseph the Carpenter, c. 1642 Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith, c. 1625

14. Detail: the young Christ holding a candle

15. Nicolas Poussin, Rape (or Abduction) of the Sabine Women, c. 1633-34

16. Classical statue (Gaul killing his wife) Poussin often borrowed figures from well-known classical statues, as seen here.

17. Abduction of Sabine Women Detail: the stages of human life

18. Baroque art expressing powerful emotions through exaggerated gestures and facial expressions

19. Poussin, The Judgment of Solomon, 1649

20. Poussin, Judgment of Solomon Detail: the true mother

21. Poussin, Judgment of Solomon Detail: the mother of the dead child

22. Poussin, Judgment of Solomon Detail: the “chorus”

23. Detail Pierre-Paul Puget, Milo of Crotona, 1671-82

24. Puget, Milo of Crotona, 1671-82 Bernini, David, 1623

25. Puget, Milo of Crotona Laocoön

26. Detail Puget, Milo of Crotona