Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso)

1504

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Sketches of Five Arms and a Head (verso) is a 1504 by Luzio Romano, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Luzio Romano
When & what style?: 1504 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a drawing of five arms and a head on the page. The artist was studying the body's proportions. This was a common practice in the 16th century, when artists tried to understand how the body is structured. The detailed study of the body is similar to the work of artist Luca Signorelli, but to learn more about this style, look up the technique of sfumato.

The story of this work

Overview

Luzio Romano’s drawing of arms and a head were made from a flayed body (a cadaver with its skin removed). The triangle placed over the facial profile points to the Renaissance artist’s interest in geometry and to the idea that the human body is the primary model of perfect proportions.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Luzio Romano

Luzio Luzi (sometimes Luzzi or Luci), also known as Luzio Luzi da Todi and Luzio Romano (died late 16th century), was an Italian painter, stuccoist, and draftsman of the High Renaissance era favoring the Mannerist style.

See the richer artist page