Study for "The Landing of Columbus" c. 1842

This charcoal drawing, "Study for 'The Landing of Columbus'", is a preparatory sketch by the American painter John Vanderlyn (1775-1852). The drawing, dated c. 1842, depicts a nude male figure standing with his right hand resting on his hip, and his left arm extended holding a staff. This study, measuring 61.6 × 48.26 cm (24 1/4 × 19 in.), would have been used for Vanderlyn's large-scale painting "The Landing of Columbus", a historical work that depicts the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. The study's focus on the male figure's anatomy and stance reveals Vanderlyn's meticulous attention to detail and his desire to create a powerful and realistic depiction of the historic event.