Married couples in double portraits - Essay Example

Married couples in double portraits The images are from different painters demonstrating similarity in the art of painting. The relationship between the three images is evident through thematic study and historical background. The art tends to portray the lives of painters in what an artist would refer as self-portrait. Each image is a narration of the previous life of its painter, including their family life with their wives and children. A careful observer is likely to unravel the notions behind the exhibition, which show the same subjects.

For example, each portrait has a male and female having a relationship. The themes of Portraiture and narrative painting are evident in both pieces. For example, in Rembrandt self- portrait with Saskia, the painting seeks to explain his life and family. After Rembrandt’s marriage with Saskia, there were various challenges between them (Sonnabend 72). This is because their children died immediately after birth, except one child who orphaned at 7 months of age due to Saskia’s struggle with tuberculosis.

Rembrandt’s painting uses Saskia as a tool of fantasy portrait because she takes part in an imaginative role (Sonnabend 74). The image is, thus, a narration of his life and his wife. Peter Paul Rubens self- portrait with Isabella is another image having similar feature like Rembrandt’s portrait. The painting shows the life of the painter with his wife Isabella. The painting is a narration of the life story of Peter Rubens and his wife. He uses his wife to portray his emotions. The portrait is of German origin, Germany being the painter’s place of birth.

The similarity between the paintings is evident where the theme of portraiture is in use (Rubens et al. 94). The Still Life with Figures by Frans Snyders reflects the life of the couple and associations of the male and female. The painting includes animal figures unlike in the latter cases where there were a female and male. The theme of portraiture is also evident in the painting (Sonnabend 69). The presence of live animals in the painting creates a feeling of animation. The painting represents still life figures with an inclusion of additional features such as animals.

It contains daily life scenes of genre painting. The image depicts geographical locations such as mountains, hence, showing the natural world. Dissimilarity appears where the paintings portray the same subjects but differ in background. Frans Snyder’s work reflects his life but adds other features that represent the natural world. His painting is evident with the depiction of animations. Peter Rubens’ art piece does not contain exactly the same features as the still life figures although it is a narrative of the life of the painter (Rubens et al. 95). However, it is remarkably similar with Rembrandt’s image in terms of material.

Both pieces relate in a way depicting the themes of portraiture, and narrative painting. For example, Rembrandt’s painting represents illusionistic form. Reuben’s image is a masterpiece with the same subjects as the Rembrandt’s image, but in a different background. The subjects are present in a region containing trees as physical features, hence, portraying the natural world (Rubens et al. 93). Works CitedRubens, Petrus P., Gilles Néret and Chris Miller. Peter Paul Rubens: 1577-1640: the Homer of Painting.

Köln [etc.: Taschen, 2005. Print.Sonnabend, Martin. "Zeichner Und Modell. Rembrandts Radiertes »Selbstbildnis Mit Saskia«. (German)." Jahrbuch Der Berliner Museen (2009): 69. EDS Foundation Index. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.Desportes, Francois, 1661-1743. "Nature Morte Aux Figures (Still Life With Figs)." (1700): Art Museum Image Gallery: Special Collection. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.