El festín de Herodes (recto)
c. 1637-1638
Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens used this energetic sketch to work out the drama for his biblical scene, The Feast of Herod. You can see a woman striding forward with a heavy platter—likely carrying the severed head of John the Baptist—while guests at the table react with a mix of gluttony and shock. Rubens was famous for these rapid studies, scribbling down ideas with loose, fast lines to capture movement and tension before committing to a final oil painting. It's a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a genius, showing how he built up a complex composition from scratch.
- Technique
- Pen and ink
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