A Landsknecht n.d.

This pen and ink drawing, created by the Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, depicts a Landsknecht, a German mercenary, in full armor. The figure stands with his sword raised in a dynamic pose, his expression fierce. The drawing's loose lines and expressive use of shading reveal Rubens's mastery of anatomy and his ability to capture the energy and movement of his subject. The Landsknecht's exaggerated features and pose, along with the details of his armor, are typical of Rubens's style, which combined realism with a heightened sense of drama. This drawing, a preparatory study for a larger work, reveals the creative process of a master artist.