Rubens, Peter Paul – Resurrection of Lazarus, sketch for the Berlin painting destroyed in 1945. Wood, 37 x 28 cm R.F.188 Part 3 Louvre

The sketch presents a dramatic scene unfolding within a densely wooded area. A central figure, clad in a vibrant orange robe, gestures outward with an open palm, his posture conveying authority and command. He stands slightly apart from the group clustered around him, bathed in a light that seems to emanate directly from his form.
To his left, a man is being raised from a prone position. The figure’s body is pale and partially draped in white cloth, suggesting recent death and resurrection. A woman kneels beside him, her face tilted upward towards the central figure with an expression of intense emotion – a mixture of grief, awe, and perhaps disbelief. Her posture is one of supplication and profound reverence.
Several other figures surround them, their faces etched with varied expressions of astonishment and wonder. They are arranged in a dynamic composition that leads the eye toward the central action. The artist has used a limited palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and reds – which contribute to the scene’s somber yet powerful atmosphere.
The foliage behind the figures is rendered with loose brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth and enclosure. A large tree trunk looms on the left side of the composition, its branches reaching upwards towards the sky. The artists use of light and shadow emphasizes the emotional intensity of the moment, highlighting the central figure’s divine power and the profound impact of his actions on those present.
The sketch appears to be a preparatory study for a larger work; the details are not fully refined, but the underlying composition and dramatic tension are clearly established. The rapid execution suggests an attempt to capture a fleeting moment of inspiration or to explore different compositional possibilities before committing to a final design. There is a sense of immediacy and raw emotion conveyed through the sketch’s unfinished quality.