The Sacrifice of a Goat to Jupiter c. 1527 - 1528

"The Sacrifice of a Goat to Jupiter" is a drawing by the Italian Renaissance artist Giulio Romano, dating to 1527-1528. This pen-and-ink drawing depicts a scene of ritual sacrifice, with three figures surrounding an altar. A woman in a long robe is raising her hands in prayer, while another kneels by a goat, and a child holds a bowl. The drawing is characterized by Romano's fluid lines and dynamic composition, showcasing his mastery of drawing as a preparatory tool for larger paintings. The scene is both dramatic and devotional, reflecting the complex relationship between the human world and the divine in Renaissance thought. The drawing also highlights Romano's ability to capture the human figure with anatomical precision and emotional expressiveness, hallmarks of High Renaissance art.