Study of the Allegorical Figure Bellona in Rubens' "The Apotheosis of Henri IV"
1884
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1884
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch depicts a reclining female figure, rendered in graphite on wove paper. The woman's body is contorted, with her head tilted back and her right arm raised above her head. Her left arm is bent at the elbow, with her hand resting on her stomach. The figure's facial expression is serene, with her eyes closed and a subtle smile on her lips. The overall pose conveys a sense of relaxation and vulnerability. The sketch is a study of the allegorical figure Bellona from Rubens' "The Apotheosis of Henri IV". To learn more about the artist's technique, explore the use of chiaroscuro in his works.
