Artwork Page for The River God Tiber (Study for a fresco, Miracle of the Snow, or the Foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome in the Canigiani chapel of S. Felicita, Florence)

Details / Information for The River God Tiber (Study for a fresco, Miracle of the Snow, or the Foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome in the Canigiani chapel of S. Felicita, Florence)

The River God Tiber (Study for a fresco, Miracle of the Snow, or the Foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome in the Canigiani chapel of S. Felicita, Florence)

1589

Bernardino Poccetti

(Italian, 1548–1612)
Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
black chalk on antique laid paper
Support
Antique laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 23.6 x 30.9 cm (9 5/16 x 12 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2012.36
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

Since ancient times, artists have depicted river gods as reclining bearded men, often holding or leaning on a large urn pouring water. This example, a preparatory sketch for a painting, personifies the Tiber River, which plays a role in Rome’s legendary origins. Romulus, the founder of Rome, and his twin brother, Remus, were abandoned as infants at the river, where they were rescued by a she-wolf. Poccetti lightly sketched the animal’s head behind the river god along with the face of Romulus or Remus.
A horizontally oriented black chalk drawing on beige paper depicts a muscular older man with a light skin tone, reclining and looking down. Facing our right, he rests an arm on a large, rounded vessel while a bent leg extends forward. His long hair and beard flow into swirling lines. Shaded strokes define his torso and limbs, while faint, sketchy lines suggest other figures and forms in the background.

The River God Tiber (Study for a fresco, Miracle of the Snow, or the Foundation of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome in the Canigiani chapel of S. Felicita, Florence)

1589

Bernardino Poccetti

(Italian, 1548–1612)
Italy, 16th century

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