Albert Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens produced this beautiful sketch of his eldest son, Albert, as one of a large number of family portraits from across his prolific career

Rubens would also produce countless portrait's of his wife of the time, and Albert's mother, Isabella Brandt. Despite his father's constant movements around Europe, Albert was more than contented to spend the majority of his life in the Flemish regions that his father grew up in.

Albert chose Brussels as his base and developed a reputation here as an expert in antiquities, far beyond just the mediums in which Peter Paul was himself involved. He was particularly interested in ancient clothing, coins and gems, producing literature on these topics from extensive research.

As the son of such an iconic figure, Albert would have had all manner of opportunities in his life, virtually able to pick whichever career it was that most appealed to him. That of historical study of antiques is loosely connected to his father's life, but not so much that others could accuse him of failing to forge his own path.

Albert, born in 1614, was immediately well connected from birth, counting Albert VII, Archduke of Austria as his godfather. As a young student he would show a passion for topics such as Roman Antiquity and numismatics which was to become his future career path.

His father would produce endless portraits drawings, constantly trying to perfect his skills in this medium. Without success as a draughtsman, he would never have achieved what he did with oil painting or tapestries as they were the fundamental backbone to all that he created.

Rubens was considered one of the most talented portrait sketchers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, alongside fellow masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. From Northern Europe there was Albrecht Durer and Rembrandt, amongst many others.

Whilst the majority of his life can be considered happy and successful, Albert was sadly to lose his only child to rabies, which left a lasting impact on him from their onwards. He was finally buried in the Rubens family chapel in St. James' Church, Antwerp along with his wife, Clara del Monte.