Saint Bonaventura reading in a book

Similarly to the preceding entry, this work attributed to Rubens depicting Saint Bonaventura reading, dated 1700, falls sixty years after Rubens's death in 1640 and must be a work by a follower or a later copy. Saint Bonaventura (1221–1274), the Franciscan theologian and cardinal, was a subject in Rubens's orbit during the 1620s–1630s, when Rubens produced numerous altarpieces for Franciscan patrons. Works of this type were frequently attributed to Rubens in the eighteenth century as his reputation grew and dealers extended his name to encompass the vast Rubenesque production across Flanders and beyond.

The depiction of the saint reading likely employs the devotional half-figure format common in Flemish altarpiece panels, with warm Rubenesque coloring and the saint's Franciscan brown habit contrasting with the brilliant light falling on the open book.