Study of a Man in Profile

The study was created in connection with the painting of the altar triptych of Descent from the Cross, which can be found in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. The sketch served Rubens as a preparatory work for the ladder of Nicodemus who is placed on the middle triptych painting on the ladder on the right-hand side bellow the cross, looking upwards towards it. The study nature of the painting is given away even by its support put together from several oak planks.