Sketches of Mythological Subjects n.d.

Giovanni Battista Cipriani rendered "Sketches of Mythological Subjects" with pen and brown ink, and gray wash. Cipriani lived in a time when the narratives of classical mythology were often deployed to reinforce the values of those in power. What's striking here is the raw, unfiltered energy of the sketches. We aren’t presented with finished, polished scenes, but rather a glimpse into the artist's process – a space where ideas are tested and forms are just beginning to emerge. In doing so, he almost democratizes these grand narratives, revealing the human hand behind these iconic figures. There is an undeniable intimacy in encountering these sketches, inviting us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of these timeless stories. Cipriani makes space for alternative, more human narratives to emerge.