Three ox skulls, two horse skulls, and a grotesque head, study for "Democritus in Meditation" 1662

Salvator Rosa's "Three ox skulls, two horse skulls, and a grotesque head, study for "Democritus in Meditation"" from 1662 is a detailed drawing of animal skulls and a grotesque human head. The artwork is considered a study for Rosa's larger painting "Democritus in Meditation" which features the Greek philosopher Democritus, known for his cynical and humorous outlook on life. The drawing displays Rosa's mastery of detail and his ability to capture the form of the skulls with precision and nuance. The inclusion of skulls and the grotesque head alludes to themes of mortality and the fragility of life, which were common in Baroque art. This drawing is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.