Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
The prodigal son, 1618
Antwerp, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten
From the museum website
In the coming years, the KMSKA with the support of the Getty Trust will perform a large-scale research project on its unique Rubens collection. For the first time all paintings by Rubens will be subjected to systematic and extensive scientific investigation. In the archive study the focus will be on the development history, the full origin and the restoration history of the works. Furthermore, each painting will be subjected to photographic and material analysis. The investigation will offer insight into the painting technique and style of Rubens and his co-workers as well as provide an accurate picture of the creative development process and the dating of the works as such.
A selection of preliminary results of the Rubens investigation will be presented to the public in an annual dossier presentation. The first episode of Rubens revealed will be on view from 1 December 2007 up to and including 3 February 2008.