Scherzi di Fantasia: The Happy Satyr and his Family
1755
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1755
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows a family of satyrs—a horned man, a woman, and a child—sitting under a tree. The man leans on a tall staff, while the woman holds a basket. The child plays with a dog near a broken pot. Trees and a fence form the background, all drawn in quick, sketchy lines. The title hints this is a playful scene, not a realistic one. Satyrs were half-human, half-goat figures from ancient myths, often shown in nature. Next, look up Baroque to see how wild, dramatic art like this fit into its time.
