Artwork Page for Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso)

Details / Information for Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso)

Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso)

mid 1500s

Luzio Romano

(Italian, active 1528–75)
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Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash, and charcoal underdrawing
Support
Beige(1) laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 31.6 x 21.6 cm (12 7/16 x 8 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1925.1190.b
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Luzio Romano’s drawing of arms and a head were made from a flayed body (a cadaver with its skin removed). The triangle placed over the facial profile points to the Renaissance artist’s interest in geometry and to the idea that the human body is the primary model of perfect proportions.
A vertically oriented ink and wash drawing on beige paper features several anatomical studies. At the top, two muscular arms stretch horizontally right. Below, a man's head in profile faces left, positioned above a bent arm. To our right, two heavily muscled arms hang vertically. Detailed brown lines and light washes define the precision of tendons and muscles across the page, capturing various anatomical forms in a series of sketches.

Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso)

mid 1500s

Luzio Romano

(Italian, active 1528–75)
Italy, 16th century

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