On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01394
- Author
- Brueghel “the Elder”, Jan (Flemish), Reubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Sight
- Chronology
- 1617
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 65 cm x 109 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCIONREAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This set of paintings on the five
senses was one of the most
successful collaborations of Peter
Paul Reubens and Jan Brueghel “the
elder.”
Reubens placed his figures in the
magnificent courtly scenes created
by Brueghel as settings for these
allegories of the senses, resulting
in a series of enormous quality and
esthetic appeal. The subject was
widely employed in Flemish
painting.
Sight was considered the most
important of the senses since the
time of Aristotle. Here, Cupid
shows Venus a painting on a
Christian therme, The Healing of
the Blind Man, which alludes to the
recovery of sight through one of
Christ's miracles and thus touches
on both physical and spiritual
vision.
The presence of a canvas with Saint
Cecilia, a copy of Raphael's
original, alongside some Roman
busts, recalls the soul's
introspective vision, an image of
chastity and virtue.
Jan Brueghel was a protégé of the
Archdukes Alberto and Isabel Clara
Eugenia, and in this work he
includes their portraits and a view
of their Palace at Mariemont.
This work is signed on a paper
close to the goddess's seat.
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