1525
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Study of a Fallen Soldier (possibly the Conversion of Saul) (recto) is a 1525 by Correggio, a Renaissance work, depicting Emilia, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A man lies on the ground, one leg bent, his face hidden in shadow. His body is drawn in quick, soft lines—some parts detailed, others barely there. This is a study, not a finished work. The artist focused on the curve of the leg and the weight of the body, leaving the rest loose and unfinished. At the bottom, old writing once credited Raphael, but the style matches Correggio’s touch—warm, flowing, almost alive. To see more of this light, sketchy way of drawing, look up *sfumato*.
In this chalk study of a lone, fallen soldier, the brown ink inscription at the bottom of the sheet indicates that at one time it was believed to be by Raphael. However, it is now attributed to Correggio based on the sensuous drawing style that focuses attention on some details, like the soldier’s leg and foot, while other contours are barely sketched and shaded. The back, or verso, of the sheet presents quick sketches of classical-style architecture and a woman with a quiver of arrows on her back; she may be an Amazon, one of a race of warrior women skilled in archery, or Diana, goddess of…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…
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