Helena Fourment in a Fur Wrap

The story

“Helena Fourment in a Fur Wrap” was painted around 1636–1638. Peter Paul Rubens painted his young wife Helena, wrapped only in a dark fur cloak. The artist himself calls it “The Little Fur” in his will.

In “Helena Fourment in a Fur Wrap” Helena stands upright on a red carpet. The dark fur contrasts with her white skin and rosy face. She looks to the side, a little embarrassed. Her body is painted soft and alive, without any embellishment.

The pose recalls the ancient statues of Venus, and also a painting by Titian of a woman in fur. But there is no goddess here – this is a real woman whom the artist loves. Peter Paul Rubens paints the light falling on her skin in warm pink and white tones.

Rubens did not sell this painting. In his will he left it personally to Helena. Earlier he had also painted his first wife – in Self-Portrait with Isabella Brant.

Today “Helena Fourment in a Fur Wrap” is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. It is one of the most personal paintings by Peter Paul Rubens.