Study of Two Dead Figures and a Horse c. 17th century

This 17th-century drawing by Italian artist Francesco Allegrini, titled "Study of Two Dead Figures and a Horse," depicts a dramatic scene of death and decay. The figures are rendered with loose, gestural lines, revealing Allegrini's expert hand in capturing the human form. The composition, with the figures and the horse in a tangled heap, creates a sense of chaos and despair. This small-scale work likely served as a preparatory study for a larger painting or fresco, demonstrating Allegrini's meticulous approach to his art. The use of brown ink on paper evokes a sense of timeworn vulnerability, aligning with the themes of mortality and the fragility of life.