A Satyr
1544/1545
Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper; laid down, with framing line in brown ink
Dimensions
overall: 41.6 x 20.3 cm (16 3/8 x 8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Woodner Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund
Accession Number
1991.190.2
Art Historical Context
Created around 1544–1545, Benvenuto Cellini’s drawing *A Satyr* offers a vivid glimpse into the working methods of one of the Italian Renaissance’s most versatile masters. Best known today for his bronze sculpture *Perseus with the Head of Medusa*, Cellini was equally celebrated as a goldsmith, medalist, and draftsman whose lively imagination found expression across many media. This sheet, executed in pen and brown ink with wash over black chalk, likely served as a preparatory study for a sculptural project, capturing the dynamic pose and muscular energy characteristic of Mannerist figure desi...