Rubens & Women, Dulwich Picture Gallery, review

The Prado, the Uffizi, the Royal Collection, the Rubenshuis, the Dulwich Picture Gallery (among a few), all have one thing in common at the moment. What you may ask? They all have some of their magnificent Rubens paintings on display at the latter for the beautiful Rubens & Women exhibition.

We all know this famous Flemish artist’s brushworks, his masterpieces, but do we know who inspired him, where he found inspiration? We are all familiar with his plump, sensuous mythical blondes, and we have seen the delicate, soul-piercing women in his other drawings and paintings, but where did he find all his inspiration? What lies behind his marvellous creations? Real women in his life, statues? How did he come to leave us with his masterpieces on paper, canvas and altarpieces?

With over 40 magnificent drawings and paintings (some never before seen in the UK), this exhibition challenges the above questions and aims to provide proof of who inspired him, how he worked, and also tries to redefine the term Rubenesque.

Image: Peter Paul Rubens. The Virgin in Adoration before the Christ Child, c.1616-1619., oil on panel.  KBC Art Collection Belgium, Antwerp, Museum Snyders & Rockox House (inv.77.2).  

The exhibition also elegantly showcases his deep appreciation for the women in his life: his wives, those he painted, and the imagined women he created for his masterpieces. He painted them all with so much love and affection, and it is so palpable. You will get to stand in front of beautiful, jaw dropping masterpieces, and you will, for yourself, discover these answers and oh what a joy that is. An absolutely wonderful exhibition!

Date: 27 September 2023 - 28 January 2024. Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-3pm. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London, SE10 7AD. Price: from £16.50, concessions available. Book now.

Words by Massoumeh Safinia