Madonna in Floral Wreath

Madonna in Floral Wreath is a painting by Flemish master, Peter Paul Rubens in around 1620

Rubens takes on a very specific genre in this artwork - that of still life flowers along a religious theme (a style closely related to the Bruegel family). The combination of this with the figurative skills of this artist results in a truly stunning artwork which can now be viewed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany as part of a large collection of his work.

This painting was produced as oil on oak, one of several different mediums that he used during his career, alongside slate, canvas and panel. The reflection of light would always be a key consideration when choosing between these various options, as well as what was most suitable for the installation position for those to be displayed in a specific place.

Rubens continued his use of Madonna in Madonna della Vallicella and Madonna and Child with the Donors. These were themes found throughout the Baroque era, carrying on from the groundbreaking work of the various stages of the Renaissance.

The Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany holds this painting, amongst several famous Rubens paintings. Alongside that fine artwork, you will find Massacre of the Innocents, Honeysuckle Bower, Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt and Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus. This can be considered one of the best collections of Rubens' work because most is now thinly spread right across the European continent.

It is always innovative to see artists combine genres together, and often this was done successfully. One example was Thomas Gainsborough who would combine portrait and landscape.

The delicate beauty of this painting reminds us of work which followed on centuries later, underlining the influence and memorable nature of Rubens' career. With his artwork spread evenly across Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands plus later, the UK and France, he was never short of promotion and exposure. The content and style here is similar to The Virgin with Angels and Pieta by William Bouguereau plus also Madonna and Child and Two Angels by Sandro Botticelli.