Happy birthday to the incomparable maestro Peter Paul Rubens, born June 28, 1577!
In order to attain the highest perfection in painting it is necessary to understand the antiques, nay, to be so thoroughly possessed of this knowledge that it may diffuse itself everywhere. … [One] cannot consider the antique statues too attentively nor study them too carefully: for we of this erroneous age are so far degenerate that we can produce nothing like them…
– Rubens, On the Imitation of Statues (translated in Martin, 1977)
Rubens’ art far surpasses that of the ancients. This, I think, is the best compliment we could bestow upon him in celebration of his life and career.