Study for Balthazar c. 1609 - 1611

This is Peter Paul Rubens's oil on paper, "Study for Balthazar." Rubens was a Flemish artist working in the 17th century, a period marked by increasing global trade and, of course, colonization. This portrait is one of several studies Rubens made for his painting "The Adoration of the Magi," in which Balthazar, traditionally depicted as a Black king, presents gifts to the infant Jesus. Rubens's detailed rendering of Balthazar's features reflects a growing European interest in representing non-European figures with greater accuracy. Yet, it's crucial to remember that this interest existed within a social hierarchy. Paintings like these served not only as religious iconography but also as assertions of European power and knowledge over other cultures. To truly understand this work, one needs to delve into the social history of the 17th century, examining trade records, travelogues, and other documents that shed light on the complex relationship between Europe and the rest of the world. Only then can we appreciate the full historical weight of images like these.