From "Bizzarie di varie Figure"

1624

Giovanni Battista Bracelli

Associated Names
Giovanni Battista Bracelli

Artist, Italian, active c. 1624 - 1649

This is a drawing of two figures in combat. The composition shows two elongated, spiral-like figures with swords engaged in a duel. The figures consist of rings or coils, giving them a skeletal and abstract appearance. Their bodies bend and twist, suggesting movement and an active stance. The drawing focuses on the contours and arrangement of the spirals to convey the form and dynamics of the figures, set against a plain background.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 8.2 x 10.5 cm (3 1/4 x 4 1/8 in.)
    sheet: 11.2 x 15 cm (4 7/16 x 5 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1961.17.44

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Preaud 1975, no. A (series)

  • Series Title

    Bizzarie di varie Figure [1961.17.9-50]

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Baroness Burdett Coutts [1814-1906], London; (sale, Sotheby's, London, 15 May 1922, no. 67); Arthur Rau. Robert de Billy. Alain Brieux. Irving Davis, London. Hans P. Kraus, New York, July 14, 1954; Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, September 1954; gift to NGA, 1961.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1965

  • Drolleries and Demons: Six Centuries of 'Fantastic' Prints, IBM Gallery, New York, NY, 1965.

1989

  • Italian Etchers of the Renaissance & Baroque, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Cleveland Museum of Art; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.,1989, no. 118, repro.

1994

  • Fanciful Flourishes: Ornament in European Graphic Art and Related Objects, 1300-1800, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, as Calligraphic Figures From "Bizzarie di varie Figure".

Bibliography

1989

  • Reed, Sue Welsh and Richard Wallace. Italian Etchers of the Renaissance & Baroque. Musuem of Fine Arts, Boston, 1989: no.118.

Wikidata ID

Q65508612

You may be interested in

Loading Results