The Circle of the Thieves; Agnolo Brunelleschi Attacked by a Six-Footed Serpent
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a chaotic scene with four human figures and a giant, scaly monster. The monster has six legs, a spiked tail, and a crown of horns, looming over two naked men who seem scared. Two robed figures stand nearby, one pointing at the creature. The background has jagged lines and small creatures crawling on the ground. Notice how the artist used sharp lines and heavy shading to make the monster look terrifying. The humans’ expressions show fear, but the monster’s wild, detailed scales make it the real focus. Check out engraving to see how artists create deep shadows and texture with just ink and lines.
