Artwork Page for Rib Cages

Details / Information for Rib Cages

Rib Cages

early 1540s

Battista Franco

(Italian, c. 1510–1561)
Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
pen and brown ink
Support
Beige(1) laid paper, laid down on cream(3) laid(?) paper
Measurements
Sheet: 11.6 x 23.8 cm (4 9/16 x 9 3/8 in.); Secondary Support: 11.6 x 23.8 cm (4 9/16 x 9 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cassirer 1964.383
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Michelangelo was among the first artists in Europe to attend a human dissection and to adopt anatomical knowledge as a necessity for depicting the human figure. These drawings by Battista Franco reflect the increased—and slightly macabre—interest in the interior workings of the human body inspired in part by Michelangelo’s example. Here, the groupings of rib cages, though rendered accurately, are placed into decorative piles. The odd assembly vacillates between scientific study and a symbolic memento mori, or reminder of death.
A horizontally oriented pen and brown ink drawing on light brown paper features anatomical studies of skeletal remains. On the left, a large rib cage curves into a rounded shape. To the right, another rib cage rests horizontally, revealing ribs extending from a central spine. Smaller bone fragments are scattered throughout the composition. Fine cross-hatching and delicate lines create volume and shadow, highlighting the grainy streaks and textures of the weathered bones.

Rib Cages

early 1540s

Battista Franco

(Italian, c. 1510–1561)
Italy, 16th century

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