Pen and gray wash sketch of figures swirling among clouds, with a winged figure at upper right and dark shadows along the lower edge.

Study for Apotheosis of Hercules

A pen and ink sketch with gray wash shows a crowd of figures swirling among clouds, rising toward the upper right where a winged figure reaches out. Dark wash shadows pool along the lower edges, while light paper shows through the billowing clouds.

Artist: Jacob de Wit
Date: c. 1746
Medium: Pen and black ink with brush and gray wash, over black chalk, on buff laid paper
Source: Art Institute of Chicago
Size: 1686 × 2281 px

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Public domain · Art Institute of Chicago releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1754).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Art Institute of Chicago, is_public_domain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Art Institute of Chicago, Waltraut Mies van der Rohe Memorial Fund

18th century baroque sketch apotheosis clouds pen and ink winged figure preparatory drawing black chalk study drawing jacob de wit gray wash