DISCOVERART

Peter Paul Rubens

The Adoration of the Eucharist

c. 1626
Oil on panel
31.5 × 32 cm (12.4 × 12.6 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Gallery 208

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Peter Paul Rubens designed this elaborate oil sketch as part of a tapestry series intended for the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid. Rubens created two tiers of celebrants—the heavenly on the upper level and the earthly on the lower level—adoring the Eucharist, an important sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church, which is lifted by two angels beneath a central arch. The series’ patron, Spanish archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia, is represented in a nun’s habit at the lower left to signify her piety and reinforce her status as an important patron of the arts in the ruling Habsburg family.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Peter Paul Rubens

A Forest at Dawn with a Deer HuntA Forest at Dawn with a Deer HuntPortrait of Isabella BrantPortrait of Isabella BrantThe Triumph of the ChurchThe Triumph of the ChurchThe Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth and John the BaptistThe Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth and John the BaptistPortrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden (Susanna Fourment, 1599–1628)Portrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden (Susanna FourmeAtalanta and MeleagerAtalanta and MeleagerDiana and Her Nymphs Departing for the HuntDiana and Her Nymphs Departing for the HuntThe Holy Family with Saints Francis and Anne and the Infant Saint John the BaptistThe Holy Family with Saints Francis and Anne and the Infant

More like this

Coronation of the Virgin, with the Martyrdom of Saint LawrenceFederico Zuccaro — Coronation of the Virgin, with the MartyrDesign for a Frescoed Altarpiece of The ResurrectionMaso da San Friano (Tommaso Manzuoli) — Design for a FrescoeThe Adoration of the Shepherds; verso: SketchesMaarten van Heemskerck — The Adoration of the Shepherds; verAn ExecutionAnonymous, Italian, Venetian, 18th century — An ExecutionThe Martyrdom of St LawrenceCornelis Cort|Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) — The Martyrdom of SThe Sacrifice of Pelias to NeptuneAgostino Carracci — The Sacrifice of Pelias to NeptuneChrist on the Cross between Two ThievesPhilips Galle|Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus — Christ The Martyrdom of St. CatherineTiburzio Passarotti (Passerotti) — The Martyrdom of St. CathDesign for Corner of a Ceiling DecorationLazzaro Tavarone — Design for Corner of a Ceiling DecorationThe Adoration of the Shepherds with the Christ Child at center and angels aboveCherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia)|Polidoro da Caravaggio —The Ecstasy of St. FrancisFrancesco Villamena (Italian, 1566–1624) — The Ecstasy of StChrist in the Olive GardenTintoretto — Christ in the Olive Garden