The Rape of the Sabines

Rubens painted The Rape of the Sabines around 1635-37, depicting the legendary abduction of Sabine women by Roman soldiers — one of the most dramatic subjects in classical mythology. The painting's explosive energy, with dozens of figures in violent motion, demonstrates Rubens's unrivaled ability to orchestrate large-scale action compositions. The subject, which celebrates the founding violence of Rome, was treated by many Baroque artists but never with the physical dynamism Rubens achieves. Now in the Belfius Art Collection, the painting represents one of Rubens's most ambitious late mythological compositions.

The monumental composition fills the canvas with struggling figures in dynamic, interlocking poses. Rubens' late brushwork is remarkably fluid, with warm flesh tones and dramatic movement creating a scene of overwhelming physical intensity.

This monumental late Rubens from 1635 has been conserved with attention to the complex multi-figure composition. The canvas has been relined. Conservation has addressed darkening in some of the shadow passages while preserving the dynamic energy of the figural groups.