Where can you see Peter Paul Rubens in London?

At the National Gallery: Samson and Delilah and A View of Het Steen in the Early Morning. At the Wallace Collection: The Rainbow Landscape. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

What is Peter Paul Rubens's most famous work in London?

Samson and Delilah, of about 1609 to 1610, at the National Gallery. Samson sleeps across Delilah's lap by candlelight while a barber cuts his hair and soldiers wait at the door. Painted for the mayor of Antwerp, to hang over his fireplace.

When and where was Peter Paul Rubens born?

On 28 June 1577, at Siegen, Germany. Peter Paul Rubens died on 30 May 1640, at Antwerp, Belgium, aged about 63.

What is Peter Paul Rubens known for?

Knighted by Charles I in 1630. His ceiling in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, is the only one by him still where it was painted. Het Steen and The Rainbow Landscape were painted as a pair and are now a mile apart. Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish painter, of the Baroque.

Painter, 1577 to 1640

Peter Paul Rubens

Rubens came to London in 1629 as a diplomat, made peace between England and Spain, and was knighted by Charles I. The king's reward was a commission: the ceiling of the Banqueting House.

Born: 1577, Siegen, Germany
Died: 1640, Antwerp, Belgium
Movement: Baroque
In London: 3 works in 2 museums

Where to see Peter Paul Rubens in London

Each work with the museum it hangs in. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

The National Gallery2 works

Samson and Delilah
about 1609 to 1610
Samson sleeps across Delilah's lap by candlelight while a barber cuts his hair and soldiers wait at the door. Painted for the mayor of Antwerp, to hang over his fireplace.
A View of Het Steen in the Early Morning
probably 1636
The manor house Rubens bought at fifty-eight, with a cart leaving for market and a hunter stalking partridges, and the flat fields of Brabant running to a low sun.

The Wallace Collection1 work

The Rainbow Landscape
about 1636
The same estate at the end of the day, after rain: haymakers, cattle, ducks, and a double rainbow over all of it.

The life of Peter Paul Rubens

Rubens was born in 1577 and grew up in Antwerp. He left for Italy in 1600 and stayed until 1608, in the service of the Duke of Mantua. In Rome he won the most sought-after commission of the day, the high altar of the new church of the Oratorians.

Back in Antwerp he ran the busiest workshop in Europe, served as a diplomat between Spain and England, and was knighted by both. He died in 1640.

What to know

Knighted by Charles I in 1630
His ceiling in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, is the only one by him still where it was painted
Het Steen and The Rainbow Landscape were painted as a pair and are now a mile apart

Born: 28 June 1577, Siegen, Germany
Died: 30 May 1640, Antwerp, Belgium

Peter Paul Rubens: common questions

Where can you see Peter Paul Rubens in London?: At the National Gallery: Samson and Delilah and A View of Het Steen in the Early Morning. At the Wallace Collection: The Rainbow Landscape. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.
What is Peter Paul Rubens's most famous work in London?: Samson and Delilah, of about 1609 to 1610, at the National Gallery. Samson sleeps across Delilah's lap by candlelight while a barber cuts his hair and soldiers wait at the door. Painted for the mayor of Antwerp, to hang over his fireplace.
When and where was Peter Paul Rubens born?: On 28 June 1577, at Siegen, Germany. Peter Paul Rubens died on 30 May 1640, at Antwerp, Belgium, aged about 63.
What is Peter Paul Rubens known for?: Knighted by Charles I in 1630. His ceiling in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, is the only one by him still where it was painted. Het Steen and The Rainbow Landscape were painted as a pair and are now a mile apart. Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish painter, of the Baroque.