Flesh and Oil: The Trademark Techniques of Sir Peter Paul Rubens

This Baroque masterpiece epitomizes the artistic virtuosity for which Sir Peter Paul Rubens has long been celebrated. Painted in Antwerp around 1620 when the Flemish artist was at the height of his creative powers, Portrait of a Man as Mars blends the genres of portraiture, allegory, and mythology. Imbued with a magnetic virility, the man conveys the self-assurance of the classical deity Mars. His dynamic pose is inspired by Titian, whose work Rubens encountered during his stay in Italy at the outset of his career, but the composition’s originality and bravura brushwork are hallmarks of the northern master.
Portrait of a Man as Mars from Sir Peter Paul Rubens will be offered in Sotheby’s Modern Evening auction on 16 May at Sotheby’s New York as a part of the New York Sales presented in partnership with CELINE.

[@AMARGUSMAXIMUS]

Comparing Rubens with the Modern art... for the love of God 🙃

[@zakiazoma1227]

Well doing that is a crime 😂

[@jamessulkowski9802]

These commentators are absurd in bringing the contemporary crap into a discussion with a Master like Rubens. They don’t have a clue what Rubens was about. They are right about one thing: it’s a profound masterpiece. The abstract garbage that they highlight is by painters who couldn’t clean Ruben’s brushes. Give me a break

[@raptokvortex]

What on earth are they talking about? There's no discussion of the technique, the historical allegory, the ability and training of Rubens. The contrast, the composition, the anatomy. The weight of the shoulder in the pose. The masterful knowledge of the play of light with the skin. This is what makes the painting good, not some contemporaneous comparisons to modern garbage.

[@Chamomile369]

Right? They sound like trite pretentious idiots

[@claykline2830]

it's very clear that none of these people are painters... They don't understand the process except from a historical perspective unfortunately

[@robertroest7619]

Was thinking exactly the same.

[@tituslane4929]

Smoking weed again.....

[@darrendazcox]

I agree with what was said about Rubens here, other than the intentional tiny size making the portrait look like it should be part of an epic mural not stuck in a frame - it's almost like the sitter didn't pay Rubens and he just chopped it down to the bare minimum. What annoys me, using my American right to free speach, is why any for-profit business that also gushes about modern art has any right to put a value on classical art - modern art is not a successor to what Rubens did, his work and legacy have been usurped - paint on canvas and the human eye can only do so much - Rubens already knew the color theory that Alber's deconstructed into squares, what's the difference between Ruben's color field in the form of a red cloak and Rothko's rectangles (I know Ruben's painted on wood but assume he wasn't ignorant of red paint on a white background in sunlight and how it feels as well as looks) - if I said that 2 pixels of your entire 5 minute film were equally valid and 'genius' as the whole thing it would sound crazy well that is the analogy of modern art vs someone who put a whole hell of lot more time and effort into his work than the insultingly low-effort over-hyped modern art that has been stinking up the walls of 'investors' homes for a century now - stop the madness! All rich people should be able to afford their own Rubens quality epic murals - I could do one for less than what your suits cost - you have made it appear that it isn't possible to paint like Rubens any more and it isn't true, it just takes time and effort - you can't sell tiny dainty canvases splattered with your feelings and expect to make an epic mural - this world needs far more epic murals and far less modern art - almost everyone agrees - put your money where your mouth is if you really like Rubens and hire an artist like me to paint you your own epic mural instead of pretending to be Gordan Gecko, owning something expensive that might end up being an astute investment doesn't give you the same trip as being the astute investor who commissioned an artist like Dali to paint their living room walls - why wouldn't you want to be a Medici if you couldn't paint an epic mural yourself? :)

[@Chamomile369]

💯 You said it all

[@fhumble1132]

If I could I would bet my life that Ruben’s didn’t even touch this paintings, this is workshop 100%. But some parts are definitely interesting, almost looks like it was corrected by a young Van Dyck.

[@cincy.a.l.w3219]

What they are saying is.... this don't sell for the prices as the crappy art does so lets try to shoe horn it in that category.

[@darrendazcox]

yeah, they are just salesman pretending to be cultured but at least we can see the art I guess

[@정길주-w9p]

아주 멋찌고 아름다운 작퓸들 입니다~~

[@dumuzidtherisingphoenix]

Putin or Musk?

[@juliam.mallen9019]

It's the expression on his face of absolute total confidence at first glance that draws you in beautiful painting wonderful presentation well done everyone!

[@darrendazcox]

imagine how epic it would be if it wasn't boxed into that ugly frame but part of a whole wall sized painting!!

[@Zincink]

The guys hands are gigantic and are as big as his head. Hahah 😂

[@nelsonx5326]

Amazing!

[@darrendazcox]

competent work but it's in a tiny frame - it's too little!!

[@НадеждаСтаниславовна-э5н]

Винтовые соединения появились в 18 веке.

[@lukefer7579]

This is definitely not by Rubens. It’s ugly and badly done.

[@darrendazcox]

shhh they are running a business here!! us actual appreciators of fine art aren't allowed a voice just allowed to grumble about it, I appreciate your comment very much, thank you!

[@99thehighstreet69]

I think the face is Ruben's but your right it has a lot of clunk and doesn't sit well.Theres no speed for the eye either.Its stuck.No motion.wonder if it's a fragment. PARTLY the master rest the studio.Hence distraction using modern art as a crutch to build the sale.Sotherbys really is good at the aggressive pump.

[@edmonddantes1210]

🤩

[@maximosmanolis1219]

Modern art is trash

[@darrendazcox]

yup, that is what my comment said too