DISCOVERART

Peter Paul Rubens

Studies of a Roman Sarcophagus

1602/03
Black chalk on cream laid paper
28.5 × 42 cm (11.2 × 16.5 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Using chalk and a loose sheet of paper, Peter Paul Rubens depicted three figures from a sarcophagus likely seen in Roman collector Ciriaco Mattei’s garden. Rubens visited the Eternal City twice during his stay in Italy (1600–08). Chalk was more portable than ink and therefore an easier medium in which to directly record the remnants of Classical antiquity. Rubens used it to convey the contours of specific sculptural elements as well as the shadows created by their volumes. In comparing this drawing to its source, one can appreciate how selectively Rubens extracted the figures from their architectural surround.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Peter Paul Rubens

A Forest at Dawn with a Deer HuntA Forest at Dawn with a Deer HuntPortrait of Isabella BrantPortrait of Isabella BrantThe Triumph of the ChurchThe Triumph of the ChurchThe Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth and John the BaptistThe Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth and John the BaptistPortrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden (Susanna Fourment, 1599–1628)Portrait of a Woman, Probably Susanna Lunden (Susanna FourmeAtalanta and MeleagerAtalanta and MeleagerDiana and Her Nymphs Departing for the HuntDiana and Her Nymphs Departing for the HuntThe Holy Family with Saints Francis and Anne and the Infant Saint John the BaptistThe Holy Family with Saints Francis and Anne and the Infant

More like this

Group of ApostlesHippolyte Flandrin — Group of ApostlesSheet of Male Figure StudiesAnonymous, French, 18th century — Sheet of Male Figure StudiSusanna and the Elders (recto); Profile Head of Woman (verso)Annibale Carracci — Susanna and the Elders (recto); Profile Two Standing SaintsGiovanni Bandini (Italian, c. 1540–1599) — Two Standing SainTwo Standing Male FiguresJacopo Zucchi — Two Standing Male FiguresOrnament with Mythic Figures: Ulysses, a youth seated on a swanAnonymous, German, 19th century — Ornament with Mythic FigurThe Four EvangelistsSchool of Cambiaso|Luca Cambiaso — The Four EvangelistsFour Classical FiguresFrançois Roettiers — Four Classical FiguresTwo PhilosophersUnknown artist — Two PhilosophersOrpheusAnonymous, Italian, Roman-Bolognese, 17th century — OrpheusMadonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist and three other SaintsAnonymous, Italian, Roman-Bolognese, 17th century — Madonna Creation of EveRaphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)|Vincenzo Tamagni — Creat