Copy after "Rubens, Helena Fourment (1614–1673), and Their Son Frans (1633–1678)"

Art Historical Context

This delicate miniature on vellum by Bernard Lens is a faithful copy of Peter Paul Rubens' intimate family portrait featuring the Baroque master's second wife, Helena Fourment, and their young son Frans. Rubens, a leading Flemish artist of the 17th century, often depicted his family with warmth and vitality, capturing Helena's youthful beauty and Frans's cherubic innocence alongside a lively parrot—a symbol of exoticism and affection in Baroque still life. Painted during Rubens' later years, the original reflects his personal life after marrying the teenage Helena in 1630, blending portraiture with tender domesticity. Lens, part of a noted English family of miniaturists active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, excelled in translating grand oil paintings into exquisite small-scale works on vellum, a translucent calfskin that lent a luminous, jewel-like glow. Measuring just 15½ x 11⅞ inches, this piece exemplifies the miniature tradition's technical virtuosity: intricate brushwork achieves remarkable detail in fabrics, flesh tones, and feathers, making it a portable treasure for collectors. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1984 through a generous gift, it bridges Rubens' monumental style with the refined portability of English miniature art, offering visitors a glimpse into 17th-century family life and artistic homage.