This famous portrait drawing is of Rubens’ first wife, Isabella Brant (1591-1626). Rubens has used the red chalk to bring out the warm flesh of Isabella’s face and ears. Gentle hatching in both red and black chalks suggests the shadows on her face. Long curly strokes of black chalk define her hair which sweeps back over her head and gently down the side of her face. White heightening picks out the light on her forehead, nose and neck.

Both the large scale of the drawing and the stare of the sitter draw us to her. She has a warm smile, the head is beautifully finished and her facial features are highly polished and modelled. Her attractive personality is clear for all to see. Her marriage to Rubens was a successful one, and at her death in 1626 she was much mourned by her husband and family.



From The Netherlands, c. ad 1621
Ht 38.1 cm