The artwork titled “Portrait of Lady Arundel with her Train” was created by the esteemed artist Peter Paul Rubens in 1620. It is an oil painting on canvas, exemplifying the Baroque style of art which was prevalent during that era. As a portrait, it captures the essence and status of Lady Arundel, surrounded by her entourage. This precious work is currently housed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany.
In the artwork, at the center stands Lady Arundel, adorned in an opulent black dress with detailed white lace at the collar and cuffs, accented with rich jewels. Her countenance is rendered with the characteristic dignity and refinement expected of a person of her status. To her right, a nobleman—likely her husband—stands with a fur-lined cloak, giving the portrait a texture of wealth and power. A young attendant or page is also featured, introducing an element of dynamic youth to the scene. To her left, a figure holds the family’s coat of arms aloft, anchoring her identity in heraldic tradition and further emphasizing her noble lineage.
Foregrounded and sharing the attention is a graceful greyhound, a symbol of nobility and purity, positioned affectionately by Lady Arundel’s side. The dog looks attentively upwards, enhancing the lively and intimate atmosphere of the portrait. A sense of depth and space is conveyed by the arch and column structure in the background, while the landscape visible through an opening suggests expansiveness beyond the immediate surroundings. The detailed rendering of the figures, the rich colors and textures of clothing, and the interplay of light and shadow typify Rubens’ mastery of the Baroque style, making the painting a striking example of portraiture from that period.
