Peter Paul Rubens signed Old Master drawing Silenus

 

Important Old Master study drawing signed by Peter Paul Rubens. Dates to 1600s. Peter Paul Rubens is among the greatest artists of all time. Small amazingly detailed red conte image of Bacchus type figure. Prior owner, a university art professor identified the figure as Silenus. In Greek mythology Silenus is usually depicted as a balding fat old man. Bacchus or Dionysus is depicted younger and often with a less muscular body. Dionysus is born from the thigh of Zeus and the figure here has very pronounced thighs. One interesting history to the greek myth of Silenus is his very early expression of a Hindoo religious doctrine of reincarnation which believes it better not to be born at all . This belief of Silenus justifies his withdraw from life to drink himself to death. Rubens was a great studier of Michelangelo learing and reapplying Michelangelo techniques to his artwork. This drawing make a wonderful visual allusion to Michelangelo's masterpiece Sistine Chapel painting of Adam. Rubens  posing his figure  as Adam in the creation of man leads me to conclude the figure is Silenus who held a religious philosophy about the birth and death of man. Here it is the touch of the grape that gives life to Silenus. Also of significant interest is the way Rubens has incorporated the Belvedere Torso sculpture. The musculature of Silenus's torso is very exact to this famous marble fragment that was Michelangelo's favorite pieces of classical greek art. Drawing is rather small measuring 3 5/8" x 5 1/2" . It has been cut from its original paper and mounted by the corners onto another very old piece of paper measuring 7" x 9". Drawing looks cut from a sketch book and the accompanying signature and page number were also cut and mounted. Drawing paper is laid with chain lines spaced slightly closer than found on the mounting paper. Signature in black pen ink has faded brown with age. Handwriting and style of signature showing double P.P. is a superb match to other signed Rubens drawing seen on authentic well known Rubens drawings held in prestigious museums. This drawing has a quality equal to the finest Rubens drawings and shows the very highest artistic talents . Art would make a great wine bottle label. The general design of this drawing can be seen employed in a large finished Rubens oil painting titled "Four Parts of the World." As for authenticity, any buyer is purchasing MY expertise and will receive a formal written letter of opinion and a list of professional educational credentials, provenance as per ebay code of conduct for selling and guaranteeing the authenticity of art listings . Any hard facts about the artwork that disprove authenticity entitle a return and full refund. Ask for more details if seriously interested. Buyer pays $10.00 mail. -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BELOW IS AN IMAGE OF THE BELVEDERE TORSO AND A STUDY DRAWING OF THE TORSO BY RUBENS IN THE SAME RED CHALK SHOWN FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BELOW IS IMAGE OF RUBENS OIL PAINTING ' FOUR PARTS OF THE WORLD' SHOWN FOR EDUCATIONAL COMPARISON ONLY AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BELOW IS A SIGNED RUBENS DRAWING IN MUSEUM SHOWN FOR EDUCATIONAL COMPARISON OF THE SIGNATURE HANDWRITING AND NOT INCLUDED IN THE SALE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------