Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Drawing is a study after sculpture.
In same mat as 1966.11:31.
Whereas many of Piranesi's figure drawings appear to be sketched from life, this drawing (and the companion study, 1966.11:31) almost certainly copy ancient sculpture, perhaps some depiction of Dacians given the mens' long beards and hair, although the precise source has not yet been identified. The brilliant lighting, using the white reserve of the paper as a strong highlight against the drawn lines and stumped red chalk, is typical of Piranesi's draftsmanship in the later 1750s and around 1760. Moreover, a herm in the foreground of a plate in the Antichità Romane from 1756 has a head similar to one shown here, which further supports that dating.