Rubens was born in Antwerp in 1577, at 21 he was well educated and already a master painter. Rubens began to look to Italy to complete his education, he traveled to Venice where he studied the works of Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto. There he learned important elements that would later define his style dramatic theatrical arrangements, lush voluptuous figures, and works on a grand scale.

Rubens differed from many other Northern Baroque artists. His paintings usually show an Italian influence in both content (historical and classical themes as opposed to genre or religious themes) and form ( large grandiose scale, energy and tension compared to a smaller and more restrained composition). Rubens didn't totally abandon his heritage, the Northern love of detail is apparent in his compositions.

As a master of the major European languages and with a thorough knowledge of Latin and the classics, Rubens served as diplomat and emissary to many of the courts throughout Europe. Rubens counted among his patrons Archduke Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and he would later be knighted by Charles I.

Rubens would be one of the most successful artists to combine realistic, detailed Flemish painting with the large scale classical themes of Italian Renaissance painting. In addition he added the Baroque characteristics of drama, tension, and movement. In doing this Rubens revitalized and redirected Northern European painting.