El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-08

HLEMl5h art without Rubeus would
l be Italy without Raphael he came
after q period Of years, in the artistic
records OF Flanders, that resembles
the season OF famine which in ancient
Egypt followed the seven years Of
plenty. Born in the latter part OF the
18th century. he opens the great re-
vival Of Flemish art Both Antwerp
and Cologne have been claimed as his
birthplace, but wherever it was. Il IS
certain that he established himself
permanently in Antwerp. when very
young. He was left an orphan early
in life and so was forced to make his
own way.
Art beinE' his objective. he began
the study OF painting with q rather
mediocre teacher Rubens. with his
eager desire for knowledge. could not
be satisfied with such meager ad-
vantages. At the age o. % ne went
10 italy. being recommended by the
governor Of the Netherlands to the
patronage Of the duke OF 1Iantua.
With such a fine opportunity, Rubens
was loathe TO part. but his mother was
very old and did not want her son.
or whom she was exc eediugly proud.
20 leave her for so long q time. Bu-
she was Christian woman who was
accustomed 10 many sacrifices III her
life. in order 20 help others. And so
young Rubeus went
Hated 10 Leave Mother.
Perhaps his thoughts were sad at
the beginning OF the journey. for 90
was hard TO leave his devoted moth
er's care TO venture out into q foreign
land But his pockets were full OF
money that he had carefully saved
and he was free for the first time in
his life Moreover he was travelling
10 the land Of his hearts desire, where
he could study numberlsss Italian pic
lures OF the masters few Of which
he had seen There the romantic tales
be had heard concerning the country
Ould actualIZe. In such musings. Ru-
bens soon conquered his pangs Of re-
morse az leaving his mother. Little
did he dream be had seen her face for
the last time.
4 month passed before the boy ar
rived in Venice en- route TO Florence
But by chance the duke OF Mantua.
kincenzo GOUzagas was spending a
few days in the city of Canals
Through a member OF the princes
household Ruben's pictures were
brought 10 the attention OF the duke
Young Artists First Advantage.
This strange and impetuOus man
took the boy at once into his service.
II happened that GouZaga was hasten
to Florence 10 attend the wedding %
his sisterinlaw, Marie de Medici, who.
In marrying Henry w. became queen
of France. Great fetes were being
prepared In the town and GonzaEa. OF
course, did not overlook the oppOrtu-
nifty to display his own magnificence
lie took Rubens with him in order
that all the splendid re options and
ceremOntalS In which he took part
might be on canvas What great adj
vanLages for the young Rubens,
After long visit in Genoa. the
prince went back TO his palace IN
Mantua- The gloomy little place might
not have met with the expectations o.
Rubens. but the palace consisted Of
a number Of imposing buildings which
contained collections that were con-
sidered the most arkable IN Italy
The dukes who had lived there and
enriched Il, had successfully added
new buildings without troubling 70
make them harmonic with those al
ready built But today the dilapidated
Did place shows traces OF its former
splendor- Many artists had been en- .
DlOyed on its rooms. II vas an ideal
place for Rubens TO continue his
studies.
Won Fnvor Rapidly.
The artist was well fitted TO the
royal mode OF living With his pleas
ing manners he won the favor OF all
those about him. He knew how 20 D
live with persons Of rank" But even I
though he held his own. the artist ]
would probably have preferred the Z
OF scholars and connois- I
seurs Of art than the gossip OF the I
,ouriers. He INDUCED in all the pleas
lres which the establishment OF the /
luke afforded re accompanied re /
# HH O. HH n A. r.
ll the chase FROM the mena5 erie Z
which was q hobby with the Conzagas !
8ubens took his first studies Of ami /
mails in which he later became pro- I
.icient
The first original work by Rubens !
vas done ,or the Church Of Santa 4
-roce di Gerusalemme- Emile Michel ]
describes them as being very defect I
We. being coarse and lacking propOr-
Ion Some time later. Rubeus was I
commissioned by duke GouZaga TO 20 4
10 Spain TO take charge OF and deliver /
gifts 20 the duke Of Lerma. whose IA I
FOR was Of great practical Importance I
10 the Mantuan duke. The journey ]
vas marked with many accidents.
Loses Way on Journey.
He lost mis- way and did not reach I
Madrid until three weeks later. with .
his supply OF money almost exhausted. I
But. knowing the financial standing !
~ the Mantuan house. he managed ]
with the help OF a friend to hide his I
Embarrassment and appeared honora-
lly at court. The pictures which he .
rad brought with him as gifts from
he duke. had been much damaged by I
ain These Rubens repaired so Wen
hat the Spanish duke offered to take .
lin into his service, but Rubens de-
lined because OF the Jealousy Of the .
spanish painters, but he offered his
'ervices to the duke as long as he re-
NAMED in Spain. Here he painted some
n his finest pictures. He returned 10 .
.Iantua. where he remained two years .
Onger before he was called to Anti
verp by the illness Of his mother
When he returned TO Antwerp he !
ound her no longer living. Stricken
with grief. he decided never to return
o italy, but settled permanently in
antwerp. he began q quiet life Of
work.
An important commission was given
lin by the Guild OF Archers TO paint !
large tryptich for their altar Ga the
.utwerp cathedral Their patron saint I
gaE St Christopher, or Christ
Iearer" so Ruhaug ~ournf~nr Hnn Frr~