Design for Three Consoles Decorated with Foliage and Volutes and a Console with a Satyr Head Surmounted by Three Human Figures, Garland and Foliage

Art Historical Context

Agostino Mitelli's *Design for Three Consolesated with Foliage Volutes and a Console with a Satyr Head Sur by Three Human Figures, and Foliage* (ca. 1609–1660) is a captivating preparatory drawing that showcases the artist's mastery of ornamental fantasy. Rendered on a modestly sized sheet with irregular borders (7-1/16 x 10-13/16 inches), it features elegantly intertwined motifs of scrolling volutes, lush foliage, garlands, and dynamic human figures crowning a mischievous satyr head. These consoles—architectural brackets—were essential elements in Baroque interiors, supporting shelves, busts, or sculptures with dramatic flair. Working in 17th-century Bologna, Mitelli was a leading figure in the Baroque tradition of grotesque and ornamental design, influenced by the opulent decorations of palaces and churches. He began with faint leadpoint underdrawings for precision, then layered pen and brown ink to achieve fluid lines and rich texture, a technique prized for its speed and expressiveness in architectural planning. This drawing exemplifies the era's exuberant style, blending classical mythology (like the satyr) with natural forms to evoke movement and abundance. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (purchased via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1971), it highlights Mitelli's role in furnishing Europe's grand spaces. Visitors will appreciate how such sketches bridged imagination and craftsmanship, turning everyday supports into sculptural spectacles.