From "Bizzarie di varie Figure" 1624

This etching from Giovanni Battista Bracelli's "Bizzarie di varie Figure" (1624) depicts two figures in an elaborate dance. The figures are drawn with a geometric style, with their bodies broken down into simple shapes and lines. This type of anatomical representation was popular in the Renaissance, used to study the human form. Bracelli's print, though, is more stylized, emphasizing the abstract qualities of movement and form. The print's stark simplicity and angularity contribute to a sense of dynamism and energy. The figures appear to be caught in a moment of graceful, exaggerated motion. "Bizzarie di varie Figure" is a valuable historical document as it captures the artistic sensibilities of the early 17th century.