A Satyr with a Staff and Seven Other Figures

1744

Francesco Fontebasso

Associated Names
Francesco Fontebasso

Artist, Venetian, 1709 - 1769

This is a drawing of a mythological or allegorical scene with architectural elements and draped figures. The drawing portrays a group of figures situated around a large urn that rests upon a stone plinth. On the left side, an elderly figure appears to be conversing with another adult figure who is sitting and holding an infant or small child on their lap. Meanwhile, the reclining figure on the ground, semi-draped, seems to be interacting with the other figures. Behind them, two figures stand, their gestures suggesting conversation. The background depicts an expansive sky with expressive cloud forms. Elements of nature, such as a tree, and slight hints of a distant landscape enhance the setting’s serene yet classical ambiance.

Media Options

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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Cesare Morini, Milan; his widow, Karin Wachtel, Milan; gift to NGA, 2015

Associated Names

Bibliography

1906

  • Vesme, Alexandre de (Baudi di Vesme, Alessandro). Le peintre-graveur italien; ouvrage faisant suite au peintre-graveur de Bartsch. Milan: Ulrico Hoepli, 1906: no.7

Inscriptions

by later hand, verso in graphite: DeV7 83 c 37517

Wikidata ID

Q77007877

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