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Rudolf I and Albert I with Pallas

Peter Paul, Sir Rubens

1635

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Rudolf I and Albert I with Pallas is a 1635 ink by Peter Paul, Sir Rubens, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Peter Paul, Sir Rubens
When & what style?: 1635 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows three standing figures in front of an archway. The person in the middle holds a round shield and wears armor and a helmet with a plume. The two figures on the sides stand on small bases, one holding a scroll, the other a long object like a spear. The background has arched decorations and columns, all drawn in brown ink with some white highlights. The central figure looks like a warrior goddess, not a real person. This kind of mix of real and imaginary figures was common in allegories—paintings that tell big ideas through symbols. Next, look up Baroque to see how this style used drama and movement in art.