Elderly Man Watching Putti Dissect an Eye

c. 1613

Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Associated Names
Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Artist, Flemish, 1577 - 1640

The image shows an older bearded man seated on a bench on the right side, surrounded by five cherubs or angelic children. The older man appears contemplative, with his chin resting on one hand. The cherubs are engaged in various activities around him. Four cherubs are shown on either side of the man, and three are examining a celestial globe on a stone block in the center. The cherubs have curly hair and small wings on their backs and are depicted without clothing. The background features column-like structures, trees, and light shading suggesting an outdoor scene.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk, heightened with white, on laid paper; indented with a stylus for transfer

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 10.1 x 14.8 cm (4 x 5 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.114.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Richard Cosway [1740/42-1821], London (Lugt 629); Michael Jaffé, Somerset, England; purchased by NGA, 1996.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1997

  • Building a Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997-1998, no. 10, as A Man Watching Putti Dissect an Eye.

Bibliography

1971

  • Jaffé, Michael. "Rubens and Optics: Some Fresh Evidence." Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 34(1971): 363, fig. 61c.

Wikidata ID

Q64632555

You may be interested in

Loading Results