Artwork
The Coup de Lance
The Coup de Lance is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This monochrome study was executed by Peter Paul Rubens as a preparatory work for the main altarpiece destined for the Récollets church in Antwerp, where Rubes spent the majority of his career. The sketch captures a pivotal moment from the Passion, serving as a compositional blueprint for the larger, fully painted commission.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays the moment a Roman soldier thrusts a spear into the side of the crucified Christ, a scene traditionally associated with the confirmation of his death. By isolating this act, Rubens emphasizes the physical reality of the sacrifice and the solemnity of the event within the New Testament narrative.
Technique & Style
Rendered in grisaille, the work relies solely on shades of gray to model form, light, and shadow. This limited palette allowed Rubens to concentrate on the volumetric arrangement of figures and the dramatic chiaroscuro characteristic of Baroque art, without the distraction of color, facilitating rapid experimentation.
History & Provenance
Created as a study for the high altar of the Récollets church, the piece remained in Rubens’ studio before entering a collection that eventually transferred to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Its survival provides insight into the artist’s preparatory process for major ecclesiastical commissions.
Context
Rubens’ adoption of the monumental Baroque language, inspired by his Italian travels, marked a turning point in Flemish painting. Works such as this study illustrate how he merged Italian dynamism with local traditions, shaping the visual vocabulary of 17th‑century Flanders and influencing subsequent generations of artists.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch:; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.
