Portrait of Helena Fourment in a richly ornate dress

The original, executed circa 1630/1, on panel, 75 x 56 cm, is in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, inv. no.C295 (H. Vlieghe, Corpus Rubenianum, etc., 1987, pp.90/1, no.96B, fig.87). Formerly thought to be an autograph version of the full length portrait in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich (H. Vlieghe, op. cit., pp.88/90, no.96, fig.85), the Rijksmuseum picture is now generally regarded as an old copy. The orange blossom, symbol of marriage, in the sitter's hair and her elegant dress, have often led to the believe that she is portrayed here in bridal dress. According to Vlieghe, loc .cit. , however, it is more likely that the sitter, Rubens's second wife, is portrayed here as a newly-wed and perhaps pregnant with her first child.