Rubenesque

[ roo-buh-nesk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to the painter Peter Paul Rubens or his works, which feature full-figured women.
(of a woman's figure) plump but shapely; curvaceous.

Rubenesque

/ ˌruːbəˌnɛsk /

(of a woman) having the physique associated with Rubens' portraits of women; plump and attractive

1815–20; Ruben(s) ( def ) + -esque ( def ); the 's' is almost always dropped because Rubensesque is hard to pronounce

The hardest thing is to fit out his patrons with street gowns that will be conventional, and yet Rubenesque.

Rubens became nothing but Rubens, but all the art world wished to become "Rubenesque."

April 22, 2024steadfast

[sted-fast]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse