Sketches of Soldier, Heads, from Roman Relief (recto); Sketches of Male Nudes, from Roman Relief (verso)

The detailed double-sided drawing Sketches of Soldier, Heads, from Roman Relief (recto); Sketches of Male Nudes, from Roman Relief (verso) is attributed to either the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) or his contemporary, Peter van Lint (1609-1690). Executed on cream laid paper, the recto side is rendered primarily in black chalk, capturing fragments of classical sculpture derived from a Roman relief. The verso presents a mixed media approach, utilizing both black chalk and pen and brown ink to study the anatomy and posture of male nudes, likely sourced from similar antique sculptures or plaster casts.

Dating to the 17th century, this drawing exemplifies the profound commitment of Baroque artists in Belgium and the Netherlands to the study of classical antiquity. The meticulous sketches function as crucial academic exercises, demonstrating the artist’s careful engagement with monumental Roman reliefs, often serving as preparatory studies for inclusion in larger history paintings or religious commissions. The recto focuses on individual heads and a soldier’s torso, suggesting an analytical attempt to document physical details and expressive potential found in ancient sources.

The dynamic use of black chalk demonstrates the rapid observational technique favored by Rubens and his circle. This contrasts slightly with the more defined outlines and refined cross-hatching visible through the brown ink applications on the verso. Whether created by Rubens, whose extensive corpus of drawing is highly influential, or by van Lint, this work provides crucial insight into the working methods of the Flemish school during a period obsessed with revitalizing classical ideals. Today, this significant drawing is part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering a public domain resource into the essential link between Renaissance draftsmanship and the Baroque mastery of form.