Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, Siegen 1577–1640 Antwerp), Henri IV at the Battle of Ivry, ca. 1630. Oil on canvas, 68 1/2 in. × 8 ft. 6 3/8 in. (174 × 260 cm) Framed: 77 5/16 in. × 9 ft. 4 5/16 in. × 2 15/16 in. (196.3 × 285.2 × 7.5 cm). Rubenshuis, Antwerp © Rubenshuis, Antwerp

This is a fragment of an incomplete painting that belonged to a series documenting the victorious battles of Henry IV, king of France. Rubens abandoned the series in 1631 due to a miscommunication with the French court (for which he had already completed the Medici cycle installed in the Palais du Luxembourg). The full composition showed the king’s most momentous battle in 1590. The canvas was left in the artist’s studio at his death, and the upper half of the painting, with a view of Ivry, was removed much later. This fragment allows us to see Rubens at work. Tonal washes and defining strokes have been laid in over the ground color; this stage is known as dood verwe (dead color) in writing on Flemish painting. The placement of strong colors and white brings heads to life and highlights glinting armor. In some areas the artist had not yet made up his mind, as in the central soldier with three arms, each holding a weapon. 

This work is exhibited in the “Unfinished: Thoughts Left Invisible” exhibition, on view through September 4th, 2016. #MetBreuer