Three Standing Male Figures (recto); Two Standing Male Figures (verso) 1502 - 1593

Romulo Cincinnato made this drawing of three standing male figures in ink on paper, likely sometime in the late 16th century. The sketch shows three figures draped in what appear to be togas, reminiscent of classical antiquity. Cincinnato was working in Italy during the late Renaissance. It was a period when artists looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. The classical style signified power and order, values promoted by the Catholic Church which was a major patron of the arts during this time. The fluidity of the ink suggests a quick study rather than a finished work. Drawings like these were crucial for artists to develop their ideas, and to practice their craft. The placement of such drawings in prestigious collections, like the Met, speaks to the changing status of art and artists at this time. To understand this drawing better, scholars might research the artist's life and training, as well as the artistic conventions of the period.