Rubens

Rubens - Marchesa

One of the nice things about Rubens is that he understood that a beautiful woman didn't have to be as thin as a rake.  In fact it was from him that the word "rubenesque" comes from.  He was painting in the early 1600's – a Baroque artist. 

Rubens - Infanta Isabella

Rubens wasn't just an artist.  He was also an important diplomat.

Rubens - Venus at the Mirror

As you can see from the selection of images, he didn't just paint pink ladies!  He was very prolific and is thought to have done more than 600 paintings!  He was one of the select group of artists who achieved fame and fortune during his own lifetime – although he did suffer from gout at the end of his life.  He was knighted by both Spain and England.