Rubens a commercial artist

Rubens masterpiece “made for market”

Artist chose “cheap and cheerful” wood

The restoration of a painting by Rubens from London’s Courtauld Gallery has revealed that the work was probably not a commission, but created for the speculative market. Cain Slaying Abel, around 1608-09—one of the most significant works by the artist in the Courtauld’s collection—is due to go back on display next month, following an 11-month project to clean the work and address structural issues.

theartnewspaper.com/articles/Rubens-masterpiece-%E2%80%9Cmade-for-market%E2%80%9D/25358