- tures in the style of that master are erroneously attributed
to him; second, the same, modified by his residence and studies at Florence, which continued till his completion of the Theology in the Vatican, though constantly improving; and the third, his own grand original manner, commencing with the school of Athens. For a very full life of Raffaelle, with Lanzi's admirable critique, see Spooner's Dictionary of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors, and Architects.
PETER PAUL RUBENS.
This preëminent painter, accomplished scholar,
and skillful diplomatist, was born at Antwerp in
1577, on the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, for
which reason he received at the baptismal font the
names of those Apostles. Rubens, in his earliest
years, discovered uncommon ability, vivacity of genius,
literary taste, and a mild and docile disposition.
His father, intending him for one of the learned professions,
gave him a very liberal education, and on
the completion of his studies, placed him as a page
with the Countess of Lalain, in order that his son
might acquire graceful and accomplished manners,
so important to success in a professional career.
His father dying soon afterwards, young Rubens
obtained the permission of his mother, to follow the
bent of his genius. He studied under several masters,
the last of whom was the celebrated Otho
Venius. He made such extraordinary progress,
