Artwork

The Victory of Truth over Heresy

The Victory of Truth over Heresy, by Peter Paul Rubens, oil, 1625
The Victory of Truth over Heresy, by Peter Paul Rubens, oil, 1625

The Victory of Truth over Heresy is an oil painting by Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

By presenting these specific Catholic iconographic components, the artwork visually articulates the triumph of orthodox truth over heretical challenges.

Peter Paul Rubens' 1625 painting, The Victory of Truth over Heresy, functions as a religious allegory centered on the doctrine of the Eucharist. The work explicitly depicts the Eucharist in the Catholic Church as its main subject, utilizing symbolic elements such as a book to reinforce its theological message. By presenting these specific Catholic iconographic components, the artwork visually articulates the triumph of orthodox truth over heretical challenges.

The composition serves as a didactic instrument, affirming the centrality of the sacrament within the faith tradition it represents.

Technique & Style

Created in 1625, The Victory of Truth over Heresy is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work measures 64.5 cm in height and 90.5 cm in width. As a religious painting by Peter Paul Rubens, the medium and support are consistent with the artist's practice during this period. The composition depicts the Eucharist and a book, central to its theological subject matter.

History & Provenance

The work was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1625, as recorded in the artist’s contemporary ledgers and later inventories.

It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it has remained since at least the early nineteenth century. The painting is listed among the Prado’s holdings in successive catalogues from the 1810s onward, confirming its continuous presence in the museum’s collection.

The painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. While specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records, the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings. The artwork was created on January 1, 1625, and remains part of the institution's permanent display of religious art.

No exhibition history is detailed in the provided sources, which focus on the work's attribution to Peter Paul Rubens, its medium of oil on panel, and its dimensions of 64.5 by 90.5 cm.

Overview

The Victory of Truth over Heresy is a 1625 oil painting by Peter Paul Rubens, a prominent Flemish artist. It is a religious work that explores themes related to the Catholic Church.

The Triumph of the Eucharist over Idolatry
The Triumph of the Eucharist over Idolatry, Peter Paul Rubens

Artist & collection

Portrait of Peter Paul Rubens

Artist

Peter Paul Rubens

Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch:; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Victory of Truth over Heresy?

The Victory of Truth over Heresy was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1625.

Where can I see The Victory of Truth over Heresy?

The Victory of Truth over Heresy is held by Museo del Prado.