The Glorification of the Eucharist
Peter Paul Rubens, ca. 1630–32
About this artwork
Peter Paul Rubens, the preeminent Flemish Baroque master, created *The Glorification of the Eucharist* around 1630–32, during the height of the Counter-Reformation This oil on wood panel, measuring just 28⅛ × 19 inches, exemplifies Rubens' virtuosic technique in smaller-scale works, often oil sketches or modelli used to plan larger commissions. His signature style—vibrant colors, dramatic chiaroscuro, and swirling compositions—brings religious fervor to life, serving the Catholic Church's mission to inspire devotion through art. The painting celebrates the Eucharist as the triumphant sacrament, likely depicting Christ adored by angels, with Saint Paul present amid symbolic elements like snakes (representing defeated evil or heresy) and skeletons (evoking mortality conquered by divine grace). This imagery underscores the Baroque emphasis on sensory spectacle and theological triumph, countering Protestant critiques during Europe's religious upheavals. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the 1929 bequest of Ogden Mills, this gem offers visitors a window into 17th-century Antwerp's artistic powerhouse and Rubens' enduring influence on European painting. Its compact power invites close contemplation of faith's visual splendor.