Returning to my studio, continuing preparatory work
for the nine paintings ordered by King Charles of England
(the order he made when I met him in London a couple of years ago
during peace negociations with Spain*).

The canvasses after the four modelli, already approved by the
English Court, will soon be finished
(with the help of some friends-painters).

Of the five remaining modelli I'll start one today which will be called "Wisdom expelling War and Discord from the throne of James".

It will represent Charles' father sitting on his throne; nearby a female helmeted figure representing Wisdom, is knocking down two strong vicious men: Mister War and Mister Discord...
I shall try to finish the figure of the Lady today.

Notes:

* Remember that, besides being a famous painter, Rubens was also a diplomat!

Making the nine large paintings for King Charles I was an important job, which lasted several months, also because there was a lot of other work to do.
And it wasn't an easy one: it concerned paintings to be installed high against the ceiling of the large festivity hall of the new Banqueting House in Whitehall Palace, built by the famous architect Inigo Jones. This means Rubens got to represent the many figures quite deformed.
Charles' wish was to remind visitors allegorically of his father King James I of England and Scotland, to glorify him, to tell people how prosperous their nation started to be when he reigned ...

Banqueting House (London - external link!) can be visited and Rubens' famous paintings on the ceiling are still there to see (not on this image though, it's too dark!).

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