Portrait of Maria Serra Pallavicino

The Portrait of Maria di Antonio Serra Pallavicino, painted in 1606 by Peter Paul Rubens, exemplifies the dynamic Baroque style. Executed early in his Genoese period, this oil-on-canvas masterpiece captures Maria Pallavicino on the occasion of her marriage to Niccolò Pallavicini, a prominent banker and host to Vincenzo I Gonzaga. Rubens’ skillful use of canvas and oil techniques highlights her elegant attire and regal bearing, making it a notable example of portraiture from this era. The artwork is now housed within the National Trust collection at Kingston Lacy.