STUDIO OF SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS (SIEGEN 1577-1640 ANTWERP)

When the contents of Rubens’ studio and his collection were gathered for an estate sale, one of the last items listed was ‘Une quantité de visages au vif, sur toile, & fonds de bois, tant de Mons. Rubens, que de Mons. van Dyck’. These head studies testify to the practice undertaken by Rubens and his studio of making ad vivum oil sketches from models, which served as working tools for assistants. Many such studies, spontaneously and rapidly finished, were sometimes enlarged and further worked up. This hitherto unpublished sketch is an excellent example of this workshop practice, and the manner of execution indicates a particular affinity to Anthony van Dyck, yet not related to any figure by the artist. The habit worn by the sitter in this study may be that of either the Cistercian Order or the Poor Clares.