The image shows three human figures and a cherub. Two figures are seated upright, while the third reclines on a draped surface. The two upright figures have refined facial features and styled hair, with one possibly adorned with a garland. The reclining figure, also with styled hair, is partially covered, with a focus on her extended lower body and exposed upper body. The figures' clothing is depicted in loose drapes. A small cherub-like figure with wings is engaging with them, holding an object resembling a mirror or tambourine. An additional reclining cherub is next to the third figure. The setting features flowing, expressive lines against an abstract, muted background with no distinct objects or structures.
Read the visual description

The image shows three human figures and a cherub. Two figures are seated upright, while the third reclines on a draped surface. The two upright figures have refined facial features and styled hair, with one possibly adorned with a garland. The reclining figure, also with styled hair, is partially covered, with a focus on her extended lower body and exposed upper body. The figures' clothing is depicted in loose drapes. A small cherub-like figure with wings is engaging with them, holding an object resembling a mirror or tambourine. An additional reclining cherub is next to the third figure. The setting features flowing, expressive lines against an abstract, muted background with no distinct objects or structures.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Mythological Scene with Sea Gods

Giuseppe Bernardino Bison

Medium
brown wash and pen and brown ink over graphite, heightened with white, on brown wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 20 x 27.1 cm (7 7/8 x 10 11/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1991.150.8
Credit line
Gift of William B. O'Neal, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Time span
1751 to 1775
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • mythology
Provenance

Private collection (Lugt unidentified); Professor Tito Miotti, Udine, ITA, by 1962; Spencer Drummond Limited, Hamilton, Bermuda; William B. O'Neal [1907-1994], Charlottesville, VA, April 1977; gift to NGA, 1991.

Inscription

lower right in pen and brown ink: Bison

NGA object ID 73457. 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.