Alcibiades Interrupting the Symposium 1600 - 1640

"Alcibiades Interrupting the Symposium" is a preliminary drawing by Peter Paul Rubens, dating from between 1600 and 1640. This piece, executed in black chalk on paper, showcases Rubens's masterful use of line to capture the dynamic energy of a scene. The drawing depicts a lively gathering, likely a symposium, interrupted by the arrival of Alcibiades, a famous Athenian general and statesman. Rubens's style is evident in the expressive gestures and the dramatic composition. This drawing offers a glimpse into Rubens's creative process, as he explored and refined the composition of a larger work.