The pencil sketch Various Mythological and Religious Scenes, Inventory No. 2138(II)/124, by Nicaise De Keyser (1813-1887), forms part of the prestigious collection at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium's leading art institution established in the early 19th century.

De Keyser, who served as director of the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts from 1855 to 1879, was known for his historical paintings and portraits in the Romantic style. This particular sketch illustrates his practice of combining mythological and religious themes, demonstrating the fluid boundaries between these narrative traditions in 19th-century European art.

The work offers insight into De Keyser's creative process, showcasing his narrative-driven approach and detailed draftsmanship. Through such sketches, we can observe how artists of this period drew parallels between classical and Christian traditions, using both as repositories of moral and philosophical meaning.

This combination of mythological and religious imagery reflects the 19th-century European tendency to view both traditions as complementary sources of cultural authority and symbolic meaning. De Keyser's work exemplifies the scholarly approach to narrative art during this period, when artists were expected to demonstrate familiarity with both classical mythology and biblical stories.

The preservation of preliminary sketches like this one in major museums provides valuable insights into artistic methodology and the intellectual frameworks that guided narrative art during this period, revealing how mythology continued to serve as a vital source of artistic inspiration alongside religious themes.