Moses doubted God's promise to satisfy people with meat 

This preliminary sketch for Alexander Ivanov's monumental painting *The Appearance of Christ to the People* depicts Moses, a central figure in the biblical narrative, in a moment of doubt. This intimate, sketch-like work, done in a loose, expressive style, showcases Ivanov's mastery of depicting the human form and the psychological complexity of his subjects. The use of muted tones and a focus on gesture allows for a more intimate study of Moses' internal struggle, providing insight into the artist's artistic process. While this preliminary study is undated, it is presumed to have been created during the 1840s when Ivanov was working on *The Appearance of Christ to the People*.