Master of Shadows: The Secret Diplomatic Career of the Painter Peter Paul Rubens

352 Pages·2009·44.901 MB·English

by  Mark Lamster

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 9999 06358 799
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The Secret Diplomatic Career of the Painter
PETER PAUL RUBENS
MARK LAMSTER
U.S. $29.95
CANADA $37.00
'MasterofShadows is a page-turner not to be missed/
LITA-ROSE BETCHERMAN,
author ofCourt Lady and Country Wife
PETER PAUL RUBENS BEST
IS
remembered as the old master with the penchant for
fleshy pink nudes, an artist more often admired than
beloved by modern audiences. In his time, however,
Rubens had no equal; his contemporaries revered him
as the greatest painter of his era, if not in all of history.
His undeniable artistic gifts, bolstered by his mod-
est disposition and his reputation as a man of tact and
discretion, made Rubens a favorite among monarchs
and political leaders across Europe and gave him perfect
coverforthe clandestine activities that shapedthe land-
scape ofseventeenth-century politics.
In Master of Shadows, Mark Lamster tells the story of
Rubens's life and brilliantly re-creates the culture, reli-
gious conflicts, and political intrigues ofhis time. Com-
missions to paint military and political leaders drew
Rubens from his Antwerp home to London, Madrid,
Paris, and Rome. The Spanish crown, recognizing the
value ofhis easy access to figures ofpower, enlisted him
into diplomatic service. His uncommon intelligence,
preternatural charm, and ability to navigate through
ever-shifting political winds allowed him to negotiate a
critical peace treaty between England and Spain, even
A
as Europe's shrewdest statesmen plotted against him.
pragmatist in a dogmatic world, he devoted much of his
life to securinghis beloved but war-tornAntwerp home.
And, all the while, he was busy creatinga catalogofart's
most enduring masterpieces.
Master of Shadows weaves a gripping drama of cloak-
and-dagger diplomacy with an insightful, authoritative
exploration of Rubens's art and the society, culture, and
private passions that influenced it.

MASTER SHADOWS
OF
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ALSO BY MARK LAMSTER
Spalding's World Tour: The EpicAdventure That Took Baseball
—
Around the Globe and Made ItAmerica's Game

MASTER
of
SHADOWS
THE SECRET DIPLOMATIC CAREER OF
THE PAINTER PETER PAUL RUBENS
MARK LAMSTER
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—
Copyright © 2009 by Mark Lamster
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Lamster, Mark, 969-
1
Master ofshadows the secret diplomatic career ofthe painter
: —
Peter Paul Rubens / Mark Lamster. 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
—
1. Rubens, Peter Paul, Sir, 1577-1640. 2. Painters Belgium
— —
Biography. 3. Diplomats Belgium Biography. I. Rubens,
Peter Paul, Sir, 1577-1640. II. Title. III. Tide: Secret
diplomatic career ofthe painter Peter Paul Rubens.
ND673.R9L25 2009
759-9493—dc22
[B]
2009009750
ISBN 978-0-385-52379-0
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
13579 8642
10
FIRST EDITION