On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01627
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Immaculate Conception
- Chronology
- 1628-1629
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 198 cm x 134 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Wearing a red tunic, blue robes and
a crown of stars, the Virgin treads
on a serpent carrying the apple of
Sin, in keeping with the customary
iconography for this Catholic
image. By placing Mary over a
globe, Rubens made one of his most
striking images of the Immaculate
Conception. The tweo angesl
carrying a palm and a laurel-leaf
crown are a classic reference to
Mary's triumph. References to
Classical culture were customary in
Rubens, and are strengthened here
by the choice of a model based on
sculptures of Antiquity.
This work was made in 1628, when
Rubens was in Spain. It reflects
the characteristics of his mature
style, combining the Baroque
dynamism of the figures with the
ideal of beauty reflected in the
Virgin's face.
It was painted for the Marquis of
Leganés, who gave it to Felipe IV.
The latter sent it to the Monastery
of El Escorial, where it was long
thought to be by Erasmus Quellinus.
From there, it entered the Prado
Museum in 1837.
Location on the map
