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This is a drawing of individuals observing or worshiping a celestial phenomenon. It depicts a group of figures, some kneeling, others standing, looking up towards the top right of the composition where wavy tendrils seem to emanate from a point outside the frame. The figures are clothed in ornate, historical attire suggestive of a European style. The central figure, clad in armor, draws attention as he projects his attention skywards, flanked by richly robed individuals in various poses of reverence. The scene is designed with finely detailed lines.
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This is a drawing of individuals observing or worshiping a celestial phenomenon. It depicts a group of figures, some kneeling, others standing, looking up towards the top right of the composition where wavy tendrils seem to emanate from a point outside the frame. The figures are clothed in ornate, historical attire suggestive of a European style. The central figure, clad in armor, draws attention as he projects his attention skywards, flanked by richly robed individuals in various poses of reverence. The scene is designed with finely detailed lines.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

"Turn Your Body as You Worship" [fol. 37 verso]

French early 16th Century

Date
c. 1512/1515
Medium
pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 16.4 x 10.7 cm (6 7/16 x 4 3/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2006.11.46
Credit line
Woodner Collection, Gift of Andrea Woodner
Time span
1501 to 1550
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Portfolio and series

Series
Speculum principis (Mirror for Princes)

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • group
  • figure
  • Sun
  • Hat
  • Book
  • Figures
Provenance

(Sale, London, Sotheby's, 13 July 1937, lot 64); (sale, London, Sotheby's, 15-17 November 1937, lot 546); (sale, London, Maggs Bros., Ltd., catalogue 709, 1941, no. 30); (purchased by William H. Schab Gallery via Paul Graupe); purchased by Ian Woodner, New York, by 1973; by inheritance to his daughters, Andrea and Dian Woodner, New York, 1990.

NGA object ID 86032. 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.