Early Rubens at Legion of Honor: Baroque Star as Brand

The Legion of Honor in San Francisco presents 'Early Rubens,' an exhibition exploring the first decades of Peter Paul Rubens' career, from 1609 to 1621, with a prelude on his Italian period (1600-1608). The show features about 30 paintings and 20 works on paper, including key pieces 'The Tribute Money' (1610-15) from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and 'The Massacre of the Innocents' (1611-12) from the Art Gallery of Ontario, where the exhibition travels in October. Curated by Kirk Nickel and Sasha Suda, the exhibition highlights Rubens' business acumen and brand-building, paralleling modern artists like Jeff Koons. It traces his rise from a young painter in Mantua at the Gonzaga court to a star entrepreneur in Antwerp, where he negotiated a lucrative court painter position with the Archduke of Brussels, securing a salary, the right to stay in Antwerp, and no limits on assistants. His marriage to Isabella Brant expanded his patronage network. The exhibition includes intimate portraits of his wife and brother, religious works reflecting Counter-Reformation propaganda, biblical scenes like 'The Massacre of the Innocents,' and a section on prints. It ends with a large boar hunt scene showcasing his mature skill. On view through September 8, 2019.