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This is a drawing of two muscular figures in dynamic poses. The drawing features a strong composition with two figures depicted in movement. The figures are rendered with fluid lines, capturing the tension in their muscles and the intensity of their actions. The background is filled with lines and shading, adding to the sense of motion and drama. The use of line weight and shadow conveys a sense of depth. The drawing is framed with a border focusing attention on the central action.
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This is a drawing of two muscular figures in dynamic poses. The drawing features a strong composition with two figures depicted in movement. The figures are rendered with fluid lines, capturing the tension in their muscles and the intensity of their actions. The background is filled with lines and shading, adding to the sense of motion and drama. The use of line weight and shadow conveys a sense of depth. The drawing is framed with a border focusing attention on the central action.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Battle of Nude Men

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Date
1744/1745
Medium
pen and dark brown ink with brown and gray-brown wash over red chalk on laid paper pasted down on the remains of the artist's original mount
Dimensions
sheet: 25.8 × 18.4 cm (10 3/16 × 7 1/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2007.111.143
Credit line
Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • figure
  • Venetian
  • Nude
  • Battle
Provenance

(Thomas LeClaire, Hamburg); Wolfgang Ratjen [1943-1997], Vaduz and Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Inscription

lower right, brown ink, signed: Piranesi; verso of Piranesi's mount, at lower right in brown ink [upside down]: B. P. L. 115; upper left, graphite: 19/2324

Watermarks

single circle containing a six pointed star with circle in its center (similar to Briquet 6086/6087 and Heawood 3883, but range of dates and location too wide to be useful)

NGA object ID 139329. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.