This is a drawing of an ancient battle scene. It depicts numerous nude male figures engaged in hand-to-hand combat in a forested environment. The men are wielding swords and shields, and their bodies are contorted with the tension of the battle. The detailed musculature and expressive poses capture the movement of the scene. The background features dense vegetation with twisted trees and thick foliage. The composition includes overlapping figures creating a sense of chaos and urgency. The style of the drawing has influences from the Renaissance period, focusing on anatomy and dramatic expression.
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This is a drawing of an ancient battle scene. It depicts numerous nude male figures engaged in hand-to-hand combat in a forested environment. The men are wielding swords and shields, and their bodies are contorted with the tension of the battle. The detailed musculature and expressive poses capture the movement of the scene. The background features dense vegetation with twisted trees and thick foliage. The composition includes overlapping figures creating a sense of chaos and urgency. The style of the drawing has influences from the Renaissance period, focusing on anatomy and dramatic expression.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Battle of the Nudes

Antonio del Pollaiuolo

Date
1470/1475
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 42.8 x 61.8 cm (16 7/8 x 24 5/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1941.1.16
Credit line
Gift of W.G. Russell Allen
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • Death
  • Battle
  • Forest
  • Sword
  • Male nude
  • Shield
  • Warriors
Provenance

W.G. Russell Allen [1882-1955], Boston; gift to NGA, 1941.

NGA object ID 594. 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.