"The monumental suite was one of the Flemish master's most prestigious achievements, produced between 1622 and 1625 on commission for the French Crown."
"Across some 3,150 square feet of painted surface, Rubens dramatized scenes from the life of Marie de Medici, a Tuscan princess who became the Queen of France in 1600."
"The sheer size of the canvases has necessitated the creation of custom equipment, including vast easels."
"A more in depth analysis in 2020 revealed that their varnish had yellowed from oxidization and that, in places, the paint has even started lifting from the canvas."
The Louvre is initiating a major restoration of all 24 paintings in Rubens's Medici cycle, aiming to restore them to their original Baroque condition. This project, backed by a $4.6 million donation, will take place over at least four years. The paintings will be treated on site in a temporary workshop, allowing conservators to analyze materials and uncover new insights into Rubens's techniques. The restoration addresses issues like yellowed varnish and paint lifting, ensuring the long-term preservation of these significant artworks.
Read at Artnet News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]