Peter Paul Rubens, Henri IV at the Battle of Ivry

Even though Rubens never finished the scene depicting the French king Henri IV at the Battle of Ivry, the viewer is spellbound by what is actually going on. That's why this painting gives you a unique insight into the artist's thought- and working processes.    

The harnessed rider on the white horse is none other than King Henri IV. 'Ralliez-vous à mon panache blanc!' (Rally to my white plume!) he is said to have shouted to his men. Unlike many other army commanders, Henri led his men into battle.

Rubens built up the huge composition with loose pen-and-brush drawings. Some are fairly well developed, others only partially. As such, the helmeted soldier in the middle has three arms and two weapons.

Originally, this painting was a gift from the French queen Marie de' Medici to herself. In 1622, she signed a contract with Rubens for two series of 24 paintings. The first was about the story of her own life, the other about the exploits of her husband: Henri IV. The successful king had been assassinated 12 years earlier while riding through Paris in an open carriage. He put an end to the fierce civil war between Protestants and Catholics, personally leading the way on the battlefield.  

What was supposed to be a tribute to one of France's most valiant leaders ended up as an anti-climax. Intrigues at the court meant that the series on the famous battle near Paris was left unfinished.  

But it was a boon for researchers who could therefore find out more about Rubens' working methods. What else did he plan to do on the painting? The fact we can look over Rubens' shoulder during the creative process makes it all the more unique.  

The contract for the ambitious project stipulated that Rubens had to paint all the figures himself. He entrusted the battle scenes in the upper section to his colleague Pieter Snayers, an expert in martial depictions. Rubens came up with the composition and had Snayers paint his part first.  

Before working on his own section, Rubens gave Snayers' work several vibrant upgrades, as a finishing touch. It would eventually become the only fully finished part of the painting. A previous owner cut off this part during the last century. The canvas was therefore originally twice its current size.  

The work never arrived at its intended destination: the Palais du Luxembourg, the queen's new residence near the Seine in Paris. The monumental series of paintings depicting Henri IV's better half did however get finished. They show the life of Marie de' Medici, from Florentine princess to Queen of France, and her role as queen mother. You can admire this tribute to the controversial monarch today at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.   

The Battle of Ivry is on the Flemish Community's List of Masterpieces. The works on this list have exceptional artistic and cultural-historical significance for Flanders.