A grisaille sketch for a painting of Henry IV, the King of France. Peter Paul Rubens was contracted in 1622 to paint the King “in the manner of the triumphs of the Romans.” This sketch was the last of four Rubens made to prepare for the final work.
Peter Paul Rubens was an artistic genius, but he was also a secret agent. With innate charm and a convenient excuse for international travel, this book tells the story of a Rococo master dodging plots and brokering peace between nations.
