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Artist: Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) (99)

Period: 17th century (3591)

Type: oil paint (473)

Keywords
biblical events (1047) | drapery (701) | wilderness (27)

Temptation of Christ

1620

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Oil on panel

Width: 41.6 cm ( frame ); Height: 44 cm ( frame ); Depth: 4.3 cm ( frame ); Width: 31.6 cm ( panel ); Height: 32.9 cm ( panel );

Acquisition (source, method, date)
Seilern, Antoine (Count); bequest; 1978
P.1978.PG.370

About this work
This is one of six oil sketches the Courtauld Gallery’s collection that relate to Rubens’ decoration of the Jesuit church at Antwerp in 1620. Rubens was commissioned to provide thirty-nine paintings for the church ceilings. The ceilings were all destroyed by fire in 1718. Rubens’ contract with the Jesuits required him paint the sketches but allowed his assistants to complete the finished work. Here, Christ is depicted being tempted by the Devil to turn stones into bread to break his fast, during his forty days and nights in the wilderness (Permanent collection label)

Copyright: © The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London