Lupercalia (recto), and Sketches of Figures (verso)
n.d.
Medium
Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash, over graphite (recto), and black chalk (verso), on ivory wove paper
Dimensions
12.7 × 25.1 cm (5 × 9 15/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
112571
Art Historical Context
James Thornhill, a leading British Baroque artist of the early 18th century, is celebrated for his grand history paintings and decorative schemes adorning landmarks like St. Paul's Cathedral and the Painted Hall at Greenwich. This undated double-sided drawing, *Lupercalia (recto), and Sketches of Figures (vers)*, showcases his mastery of classical themes. On the recto, the depiction of Lupercalia—an ancient Roman fertility festival honoring the god Faunus with ritual processions, sacrifices, and youthful revelry—evokes the pagan energy of antiquity, a popular subject for Baroque artists drawin...