Left Bracket Fifth Round: Rubens v. Rembrandt!

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This Left Bracket Fifth Round match pairs Peter Paul Rubens (7-1-2, 77-40, .658) against Rembrandt (4-1, 36-25, .590).  Rubens has just survived an encounter with Georges Seurat (5-2, 50-32, .602); Rembrandt debuts in the Left Brackets following a lively fifth-round loss to John Singer Sargent.

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Sir Peter Paul Rubens
1577 - 1640
Flemish

Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most celebrated and prolific artists in Europe during his lifetime as well as the entire Baroque era. His patrons included royalty and churches, and his art depicted subjects from religion, history and mythology. Known for such works as "The Descent from the Cross," "Wolf and Fox Hunt," "Peace and War," "Self-Portrait with Helena and Peter Paul" and "The Garden of Love," Rubens's style combined a knowledge of Renaissance classicism with lush brushwork and a lively realism.

- Biography.com

• Crushed Théodore Rousseau in Round 1.
• Tied with Henri Rousseau in Round 2. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
• Lost to Estonia's Michiel Sittow in the Round 2 Tiebreaker. It was a single-vote margin! YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
• Beat Bridget Riley in the Left Bracket Second Round.
• Tied with Claus Sluter in Left Bracket Second Round Elimination. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
• Beat Francisco de Zurbarán in Left Bracket Second Round Elimination by a two-vote swing -- YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
• Beat Sodoma easily in the Left Bracket Third Round.
• Beat Léon Spilliaert, Belgian's other famous painter, in Left Bracket Third Round Elimination.
• Mopped the floor with Kurt Schwitters in the Left Bracket Fourth Round.
• Defeated Georges Seurat in Left Bracket Fourth Round Elimination.

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Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
1606 - 1669
Dutch

Rembrandt was a 17th century painter and etcher whose work came to dominate what has since been named the Dutch Golden Age. One of the most revered artists of all time, Rembrandt's greatest creative triumphs are seen in his portraits of his contemporaries, illustrations of biblical scenes and self-portraits as well as his innovative etchings and use of shadow and light.

- Biography.com

• Survived a brush with Guido Reni in Round 1 by a two-vote swing. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!
• Beat Pierre Auguste Renoir in Round 2.
• Edged by Diego Rivera in Round 3 by a two-vote swing. YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
• Crushed Salvator Rosa in Round 4.
• Lost to John Singer Sargent in Round 5.

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