Rubens - The mission of peace depends on the work of mine

“Maybe I should go on a trip to forget the constantly emerging of sadness.”                                                                                                                    – Rubens  
 Peter Paul Rubens (from 1577 to 1640), just lost his only daughter Clara and then in 1626, his beloved wife Isabella died because of the Black Death. In face of great changes, he could only choose to accept the diplomatic mission, utilized the constantly “running away” to heal the pains.  The most prominent merit of him was mediating the disputes between British and Spain.  In 1628, Spain began to change the belligerent attitude towards British and they called Rubens as negotiator secretly.  
When Rubens arrived at Spain, he found that the degree that the young King Philip’s fanaticism for art was shocked, the King went to visit him everyday. In April 1629, he went to Britain as an individual to lobby for alliance.  The British King Charles I was a patron as well as collector. When he saw Rubens immediately, he was impressed with his graceful bearings and extraordinary intelligence.  “Rubens, the works of you are very admirable. I would like to entrust you with the engineering of decorating the Banquet Hall for the fee of 3000 pounds. And I hope that you can depict 9 paintings to describe the great achievements of First Emperor.” 
 Charles I also said:” There are some practical considerations of international diplomatic situations about the issue of alliance with Spain. I believe that you are very aware that, we already have allied with Germany and except with the consent of Germany, we can not seek peace with Spain without permission. Moreover, my only sister already has married with the Germanic prince.”  “Your Majesty, I understand your difficulties.”  Rubens was wondering “How to break the impasse in the negotiation?” after he returned to the room. Looking at the paintings on the easel, his mood fell to the floor. “Although the Majesty admires my talent for painting, but the state affairs should return to things. Even I have a good personal relationship with the king, but it doesn’t matter. 
What’re the advantages of good at painting?”  Looking at the painting on the easel again, an idea suddenly stroke Rubens. He said excitedly:” Who says painting was useless? The Majesty is a man who understands painting and he must know what I’m going to say in the pictures.”  Rubens was too impatient to wait and picked up the brushwork to draw the painting which was charged with heavy peace mission.  The day, Rubens went to see Charles I with the painting. 
 “You Majesty, I know that you are very fond of art so I depicted this work specially to give you.”  “Thank you for your kindly intentions, I’m very glad.” Charles I said and went to see the painting. Then he focused on looking at the painting without saying a word.  On the scene, the god of wisdom – Minerva pushed Ares handedly with one hand. The goddess of destruction guided Ares to retreat confusedly. The shadow of the war disappeared. Irene bred the young child charging of the wealth with breast milk while a woman was coming with gold and silver jewelries, another woman was playing wonderful music joyfully. They were all immersed in a peaceful and delightful world.  Rubens, who was well versed in diplomacy, drew the allegorical painting “Minerva defend peace” and gave it to Charles I.  “Your Majesty, peace can bring happy and flourishing for the people.”
  “You hope that I can be the soldier defending peace like Minerva – the god of wisdom.” The King was deeply moved and coupled with the tight financial status which not allowing wars, Charles finally decided to sign a peace treaty with Spain.  Rubens won a diplomatic war with his painting brush.  The King of England – Charles I granted Rubens the Legion of Honor-Knight, a sword and a diamond ring for recognition of his merits in 1630. And in 1631, the King of Spain – Philip IV also awarded him the knight title.  With his superb talent in drawing, he created a new peaceful bureau and made a hit in the negotiation.  Rubens was not only a reputed European painter but also an outstanding diplomat.