Ontwerp voor een Christusbeeld 1803 - 1868

This is Louis Royer's "Ontwerp voor een Christusbeeld," a preparatory drawing made with pen in gray ink. The figure of Christ dominates the composition, rendered with a classical contrapposto stance. The soft gray ink creates a gentle contrast, emphasizing the delicate balance between light and shadow. Royer uses the linear precision to define the contours of Christ's idealized physique. The careful delineation of muscle and drapery points to a formal academic training. His gaze directed upwards, holding both a cross and palm branch, suggesting triumph and peace. The drawing functions as a study in form and proportion, echoing a Neoclassical approach to religious imagery. Royer's work invites us to consider how religious iconography draws on classical ideals to convey themes of divinity, sacrifice, and redemption. Ultimately, the drawing embodies a tension between form and spiritual expression, where lines serve not only to depict but also to evoke deeper contemplation.