Studies of Antiquities

An unknown Italian artist sketched this collection of ancient Roman sculptures. This artist used brown ink to outline several different types of figures: a Roman man in a toga, a warrior in feathered helmet of a centurion, a goddess presenting a ritual sacrifice while the god Pan plays his pipes, and an animal covered by the skin of another beast. In the top center of the drawing, the artist also sketched an elaborate breastplate, covered with a figure and winged griffins.

It was common practice for young artists to practice drawing the statues that could be found throughout Rome in the 1500s. The varied collection of figures and poses suggest that this sheet once belonged to a young draftsman, who filled his page with sketches that could be used later in a variety of paintings or more finished works.