Study of the Resurrection for "Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary"

Sargent employed rapid, confident charcoal strokes that capture both mass and movement. The loose yet precise lines define the contours of flesh, while the contrast of dark charcoal against the warm tone of laid paper suggests a play of light across the body. This approach balances observational realism with an expressive, almost abstracted sense of form.

Created as a preparatory work for a larger composition that was never completed, the sketch remained in Sargent’s personal papers before entering a public collection in the mid‑20th century. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s studio inventory, confirming its role in the development of his religious series.