Nymphs and River God (Fragment of a Depiction of the Fall of Phaeton) c. 1640 - 1662

This fragment, "Nymphs and River God," is a sketch by Peter Paul Rubens, a Flemish Baroque artist. Dating from around 1640–1662, it depicts a scene from the Greek myth of Phaeton. The painting captures the moment when the nymphs mourn Phaeton, son of Helios, who died after losing control of his father’s chariot while trying to drive it across the sky. The dynamic composition and vibrant colors are characteristic of Rubens' style, but the unfinished nature of the sketch reveals his working process. The fragment now resides at the Städel Museum.