Upon his return from Italy, Rubens brought back an antique marble bust, which he assumed represented the Roman philosopher Seneca (c. 4 BCE-65 CE).
According to the Stoical idea preached by Seneca, wisdom, perseverance, self-control and equanimity were the moral qualities needed to endure the cruelties of fate. Seneca was especially popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and also greatly influenced Rubens and his friends.
Rubens incorporated the bust of "Seneca" in many of his works. The real portrait of Seneca was not discovered until 1813.
Your browser does not meet the minimum requirements to view this website. The browsers below are compatible. If you do not have one of these browsers, click on the icon to download the preferred browser.
