Ercole
Rubens was absolutely obsessed with classical sculpture during his time in Italy, and here he is essentially doing a master copy of the famous Farnese Hercules statue. Notice the exaggerated, bulging muscles and the intense focus on anatomy—this is Baroque drama in sketch form, prioritizing raw physical power. The faint lines of a club over his shoulder and the floating head study in the top corner show the artist's mind at work, figuring out the pose and expression before committing to a final canvas.
Views: 3