Agrippina and Germanicus c. 1614

This oil painting by Peter Paul Rubens, created around 1614, depicts the Roman figures Agrippina the Elder and her husband, Germanicus. Agrippina is shown wearing a pearl necklace and a simple white garment while Germanicus sports a crimson drape. The subjects are rendered in profile, and the light, almost hazy, atmosphere gives the piece a sense of tragedy, alluding to the couple's troubled lives. The portrait, like much of Rubens's work, showcases his mastery of painting skin tones and soft light, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.