The Garden of Love might be a tribute to Helena Fourment, Peter Paul Rubens’s beautiful second wife. It’s a celebratory painting, showcasing the “conspicuous leisure” of the Paris elite.
Peter Paul Rubens was an artistic genius, but he was also a secret agent. With innate charm and a convenient excuse for international travel, this book tells the story of a Rococo master dodging plots and brokering peace between nations.
