Hélène Fourment (c.1636-1638)

Rubens, Peter Paul (1577-1640)

Hélène Fourment (“The Furry”)
c.16361638
Oil on oak, 178.7 × 86.2 × 2.5 cm
Kunsthistorisches MuseumVienna

The posture of Rubens‘ second wife Helena Fourment (1614-1674, married in 1630) is reminiscent of the type of the ancient “Venus pudica”, the “shameful Venus”, who covers her nakedness with both arms. In addition, Rubens knew Titian‘s “Girl in Fur” (inv. no. GG 89), who also has a fur-lined coat wrapped around his body; in both paintings, the contrast between the light, soft skin and the dark, velvety fur is depicted with great sensitivity. (KHM)

See also:

• Fourment, Hélène (1614-1673)