This lecture examined the different ways in which Rembrandt and Watteau emulate the oeuvre of Rubens. Rembrandt is fascinated by Rubens’s depiction of drama and violence and by his selection of specific moments to depict within mythological and Biblical stories. However, Rembrandt deliberately vies with Rubens by tackling the same subjects with greater empathy. In contrast, Watteau refines Rubens's prototypes by incorporating them into his own imaginary dream world.
