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Fauno Dormente

Francesco Piranesi

1850

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

Fauno Dormente is a 1850 by Francesco Piranesi, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Francesco Piranesi
When & what style?: 1850
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This print shows a muscular man lying on rocks, one arm stretched up behind him. His body is twisted, with one leg bent and the other foot resting on a stone. He’s bare-chested, with a wreath of leaves on his head and a cloth draped loosely over his hips. The artist used shading to make the muscles look real and dramatic. The rocks beneath him are rough and detailed, adding texture to the scene. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The print *Fauno Dormente* by Francesco Piranesi appears in the 1850 publication *Choix des Meilleures Statues Antiques* and depicts a sleeping faun rendered on paper.

Read the full account in the museum source.