View of Het Steen

• Key facts


  Size: 137 x 229.2cm

  Medium: oil on wood (19 panels).

  Location: National Gallery London - originally in the artist’s home – Het Steen

  Patron: Rubens painted this work for himself and it was found in his possession when he died.
• Peter Paul Rubens, An Autumn Landscape with a View of Het Steen in the Early Morning, c. 1636
• In 1632 Rubens gave up diplomatic duties and in 1635 he acquired the château de Steen, a country estate, in Elewijt. An Autumn Landscape with a View of Het Steen in the Early Morning, is likely to have hung in the house, perhaps above the fireplace since it was in his possession when he died.
• Ruben’s painted Het Steen with a companion work, an equally glowing, Landscape with a Rainbow 1636, below. Together they represent the land teeming with Arcadian life – man working happily and harmoniously with nature. The Rainbow landscape also represents the area around his estate at Het Steen and is populated with wholesome peasants and happy milkmaids, all going about their rural business. Both works were made for Rubens’s pleasure.
• Description


  The direction of the light and the ripe brambles in the foreground of the Steen show that this is a fine Autumn morning. Peasants are setting out for market in the cart, watched by elegantly dressed figures in the left background; a hunter in the foreground is creeping up on the partridges in the field on the right. The strong right-left diagonal made by the stream is crossed by a left-right line that starts with the hunter and pulls the eye along a progression of trees right out to the distant horizon.
• It is an exhilarating vista but not one that ordinary people could have seen by standing in the foreground. The viewer is in fact some thirty feet above the ground
• Iconography


  • There are two magpies in the sky, perhaps alluding to Rubens and his wife.
• Landscape and nature


  The painting is a vivid representation of a Flemish landscape during autumn. It showcases the beauty of nature, particularly in the morning light.
• Country estate


  The painting captures the view of Het Steen, Rubens' own country estate, reflecting the artist's love for the countryside. 
• Seasonal change


  The autumn season is depicted through the changing colours of leaves, the presence of harvested crops, and the clear, crisp morning light. 
• Duality of nature


  The painting encapsulates both the serene beauty of the natural world and its ephemeral, ever-changing qualities.
• Foreground:


  The foreground features a tranquil pond surrounded by trees and various plant life. It also includes the representation of the agricultural aspect of the estate, with figures harvesting crops and working in the fields.
• Middle ground


  The middle ground showcases Het Steen, Rubens' estate, a large and imposing building in the centre. This structure is set against the autumnal landscape, providing a striking contrast.
• Background


  The background of the painting portrays a vast, open sky with fluffy clouds, which adds to the overall sense of tranquillity and magnificence.
• Colours


  Rubens uses a rich and warm colour palette that reflects the autumn season. Earthy tones dominate the composition, with various shades of brown, green, and gold. The colours convey the changing foliage and the soft, morning light, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the painting.  
• Brushwork & technique

  • Rubens employs a delicate and detailed brushwork technique. The textures of various elements in the composition, such as the trees, foliage, and water, are meticulously rendered, demonstrating his mastery of the medium. 
  • The artist uses chiaroscuro to create depth and volume in the scene, with light and shadow playing a significant role in the composition. 
• Art historical context

  • Peter Paul Rubens was a prominent Flemish Baroque painter known for his versatility in various artistic genres, including landscapes  
  • "Autumn Landscape with View of Het Steen in Morning Light" is one of his later works and is considered a masterpiece of landscape painting. 
  • This artwork exemplifies the growing interest in landscape painting during the Baroque era, emphasizing the sublime and the beauty of nature. 
• Patronage?


  Rubens painted this picture for his own delight – perhaps as a mark of a life well lived and a reward well earned.