The Apotheosis of James I and Other Studies: Multiple Sketch for the Banqueting House Ceiling, Whitehall c. 1628 - 1630

Editor: This is Peter Paul Rubens' "The Apotheosis of James I," a sketch for the Banqueting House ceiling, executed with oil on panel. The dynamism is striking, but what truly dictated its making? Curator: Let's consider the commission itself. Royalty employing artists like Rubens served a clear purpose: solidifying power. The materials, costly oils and pigments, speak to patronage and the very labor involved in visually constructing authority. Editor: So, the materials and process become part of the message? Curator: Precisely. The sketch isn't just about James I; it's about the machinery of power, the social relationships inherent in its creation, and the resources used to produce this apotheosis. Editor: That reframes how I see it. Thank you, I will keep that in mind. Curator: It was a pleasure!