Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was a prodigious artist whose works were prized by the rulers of the royal courts across Europe. He was also an international diplomat, shrewd businessman, linguist, and intellectual. This extraordinary book traces the fascinating flowering and early evolution of his genius.

Handsomely designed and lavishly illustrated, this volume traces Rubens’s development from ambitious beginnings to his triumphant return to Antwerp in 1609—after an eight-year Italian sojourn. In Italy, Rubens studied classical sculpture, the Renaissance paintings of Michelangelo and Raphael, and the revolutionary work of Caravaggio. Once back in his native country, he integrated these influences into a style uniquely his own.

The most comprehensive examination available of the artist’s early years, Rubens: A Master in the Making documents the remarkable burst of creative energy that resulted in some of the most dynamic and exciting bravura paintings ever produced.