Artwork
Upper Half of Skeleton from the Back
Upper Half of Skeleton from the Back is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Battista Franco. It dates from 1544 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1964.380.2
- Credit line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cassirer
About this work
Overview
Upper Half of Skeleton from the Back is a drawing created by Battista Franco Veneziano around 1544. It is a precise anatomical study of the human skeletal structure.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a human skeleton from the back, focusing on the spine, ribs, pelvis, and arms. The detailed rendering suggests a scientific or educational purpose, unusual for an artist of the time.
Technique & Style
The bones are sketched in a light, earthy brown line with shading to convey depth. The artist's attention to detail is evident in the rendering of joints and the natural curvature of the spine.
Context
Created during the Renaissance, this drawing reflects the period's blending of artistic and scientific inquiry. Franco's work exemplifies the era's growing interest in human anatomy.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Battista Franco Veneziano (c. 1510 - 1561), baptized Giovanni Battista Franco, was an Italian Mannerist painter and printmaker in etching active in Rome, Urbino, and Venice in the mid 16th century. He is also known as…
