Christ on the Cross; verso: St. Jerome Reading by Candlelight, and Sketch of Male Torso (?)

Art Historical Context

Behold this remarkable double-sided drawing by Anthony van Dyck, the eminent Flemish Baroque master (1599–1641), a protégé of Peter Paul Rubens and portraitist to King Charles I of England. On the recto, Christ on the Cross captures the poignant drama of the Crucifixion, rendered with van Dyck's signature elegance and emotional intensity. Flipping to the verso reveals St. Jerome Reading by Candlelight—a contemplative depiction of the scholarly saint bathed in soft glow—and a tentative sketch of a male torso, showcasing the artist's exploratory process. Crafted in black and white chalk on a generous sheet measuring nearly 10 by 16 inches, this undated work exemplifies van Dyck's virtuoso draftsmanship. The medium's tonal range allowed for masterful modeling of light and shadow, evoking the chiaroscuro effects central to Baroque art. Such drawings were often preparatory studies for paintings, revealing the artist's fluid linework and anatomical precision amid the religious fervor of 17th-century Flanders. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department through the 1971 bequest of Walter C. Baker, this piece offers a rare glimpse into van Dyck's studio practice. It bridges devotional iconography with personal experimentation, inviting visitors to ponder the humanity behind divine scenes. A testament to Baroque dynamism, it reminds us of art's power to illuminate faith and form.

About the Artist

Anthony van Dyck|Anthony van Dyck · 1599–1641

Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) was a Flemish Baroque artist who revolutionized portrait painting and became the most influential court painter in 17th-century England. Born in Antwerp as the seventh of twelve children to a prosperous silk merchant, van Dyck displayed extraordinary artistic talent from childhood. He trained under Hendrick van Balen before joining Peter Paul Rubens's workshop as a...