Saint Christopher 1611 - 1612

This is a preparatory drawing for a painting of Saint Christopher, a Christian saint believed to protect against sudden death, created by the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens in 1611-1612. The drawing shows Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child on his shoulders and leaning on a staff. The drawing is executed in brown ink and wash on paper and the strong contours and detailed musculature are characteristic of Rubens' style. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger work, and it gives us a glimpse into Rubens' creative process, helping art-lovers better understand his artistic approach. The drawing is currently held at the Städel Museum.