Details
STUDIO OF SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS (SIEGEN 1577-1640 ANTWERP)
Head study of a nun
oil on canvas
1612 x 1634 in. (41.9 x 42.5 cm.)
Provenance
Van den Hecke collection, Château de Zellaer, Malines, according to a wax seal on the reverse, and by descent to the following,
Désiré van den Hecke, Ghent; (†) his sale, Brussels, 18 April 1884 (=2nd day), lots 133 or 134, as ‘Jacques Van Oost, Portrait d’un religieuse’.
(Possibly) Collection of Gautier-Rasse, late 19th or early 20th century.
Private collection, Brussels.
Special notice
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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Lot Essay

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 This hitherto unpublished sketch is an excellent example of this workshop practice, and the manner of execution indicates a particular affinity to Anthony van Dyck, yet not related to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.

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Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

View Condition Report