Staande Victoria

About this artwork

**Staande Victoria** is a delicate pen drawing by Giulio Romano the eminent Italian Mannerist artist, created between 1525 and1535. Measuring just 260 mm high by 168 mm wide, intimate sheet captures a standing figure of Victoria, the Roman goddess of, rendered with Romano's characteristic elegance. Active during the transition from High Renaissance to Mannerism, Romano—once a favored pupil of Raphael—relocated to Mantua in 1524, where he served the Gonzaga court, producing innovative designs for frescoes, architecture, and decorative arts. The artwork exemplifies Romano's mastery of penwork, employing fluid, expressive lines to convey dynamic pose and draped drapery. Mannerism's hallmark distortions—elongated forms and graceful contrapposto—elevate the figure beyond classical ideals, infusing it with emotional intensity and sophistication. Such drawings often served as preparatory studies for larger commissions, showcasing Romano's improvisational genius. As a rare surviving sketch from his Mantuan period, *Staande Victoria* offers insight into the artistic process of a pivotal figure who influenced Baroque developments. Its precise technique and mythological subject reflect Renaissance humanism's blend of antiquity and invention, making it a gem for admirers of draftsmanship.