Open full image Pin

Saturn Devouring his Child

Unknown

1550

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

Saturn Devouring his Child is a 1550 by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1550
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows a muscular man hunched over a child, gripping them tightly. The lines are loose and hurried, like quick pencil strokes. The man’s face is twisted, and the child’s arms are stretched out in fear. The drawing feels raw and unfinished, almost like a frantic scribble. It’s not polished—just rough lines and shading. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching.

The story of this work

Overview

A drawing in pen and ink with wash over red chalk portrays the mythological scene of Saturn consuming one of his children. The depiction of Saturn reflects the muscular form found in the Belvedere Torso. The work passed through the collections of Sir Joshua Reynolds and S. Woodburn before being acquired at auction in 1860.

Read the full account in the museum source.