1656
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Figurine Series: Figurine is a 1656 by Salvator Rosa, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
The painting depicts a scene of a man being dragged away by two armored figures. The man is shown in a dynamic pose, with his arms and legs outstretched as he is pulled backwards. The two armored figures are dressed in helmets and armor, and are shown in profile as they drag the man away. The scene is set against a dark and moody background, with the figures and the man standing out in stark relief. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds to the dramatic effect of the scene. The painting is a powerful example of the Baroque style, which emphasized dramatic lighting and intense emotions. To learn more about this style and its influence on art, explore the Baroque movement.
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into the early 19th century.
See the richer artist page
