Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto]

c. 1440

Parri Spinelli

Associated Names
Parri Spinelli

Artist, Tuscan, c. 1387 - 1453

The image depicts a full-length figure of a person standing upright. The person is partially draped in a flowing, textured garment that covers one shoulder and extends down the body. The person's face is shown in a three-quarter view with facial features, including a curly beard and hair. The drawn lines suggest a muscular build. The person holds a staff or stick with one hand, partly covered by the draped cloth. No jewelry or additional objects are apparent. The background is plain without any detailed features, and the texture and tone of the paper are evident, giving the image an aged appearance.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund and Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    Overall (approximate): 28.1 x 16.2 cm (11 1/16 x 6 3/8 in.)
    support: 32.4 x 21.4 cm (12 3/4 x 8 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1981.45.1.a

Associated Artworks

This drawing depicts an architectural interior with an archway and vaulted ceiling. The rough, sketch-like style shows a section of the vaulted ceiling supported by a column transitioning into a curved arch. The emphasis is on the lines of the vaults and arches, accented with cross-hatching for depth. There are outlines that could represent windows or columns, hinting at further details. The upper part of the drawing includes abstract marks that may suggest figures or additional details. The medium is pen and ink on paper with aged patina.

Gothic Vault [verso]

Parri Spinelli

1387


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1983

  • Graphics Survey Exhibition, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., February 1983.

1988

  • Italian Renaissance Drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1988, no cat.

Bibliography

1981

  • Zucker, M., MD 19:4 1981, p.438.

Inscriptions

in later hand, lower right in brown ink: giotttino

Wikidata ID

Q64618813

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