Sketch of the back of the triumphal arch of Philip IV

Thulden employed subtle chiaroscuro to model the arch’s stonework and statuary, using warm golds for the structure and cool grays and whites for the figures to distinguish material and depth. Fine brushwork renders intricate carvings, drapery folds, and surface textures. The muted brown background recedes softly, directing focus to the architectural form without distraction.

Commissioned as part of the preparations for Philip IV’s 1635 triumphal entry into Antwerp, the painting served as a visual reference for artisans constructing the temporary arch. After the event, such studies were often retained by artists or patrons. The work entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s holdings in the 19th century, where it remains as a rare surviving record of Baroque ceremonial design.

Temporary triumphal arches were common in 17th-century Europe for royal entries, blending architecture, sculpture, and political symbolism. Antwerp, then a major cultural center, hosted elaborate celebrations under Spanish rule. Van Thulden, known for his collaborations with Rubens, specialized in documenting such events, bridging artistic practice and civic spectacle.

This sketch preserves details of a structure long since dismantled, offering insight into the planning of Baroque public ceremonies. It reflects the role of artists as documentarians of transient events, and stands as evidence of the collaborative, multi-disciplinary nature of ceremonial art in the Spanish Netherlands.