William Pether after Peter Paul Rubens. Helena Forman, wife of Rubens. 18 x 23.75 inches A half-length mezzotint, scratched-letter proof before title, engraved by William Pether after Rubens, published in London in 1769. A strikingly crisp, early impression of this scarce print. In this very seductive image we encounter Helena, the ravishing second wife of the artistic behemoth, Peter Paul Rubens. She gazes apprehensively out of the picture, dressed almost naively in rustic attire with straw hat, posy of wildflowers and a shepherd's crook. More tantalisingly perhaps, her left nipple has escaped the confines of her boddice to give the composition an altogether more knowing and erotic air. £1400 |