Drie studies van een zittende oude man voor riviergoden 1719 - 1769

Francesco Fontebasso made this red chalk drawing, Three Studies of a Seated Old Man for River Gods, in the 18th century. Italy, at this time, was a patchwork of states, many of which looked back to the glory of the Roman Empire for cultural inspiration. The image presents the male nude as both powerful and serene. These figures are ‘river gods’, alluding to the classical idea of the natural world as imbued with divine power. The drawing probably represents studies for a larger painting where these figures would act as allegorical personifications, perhaps of the rivers near Venice, where Fontebasso was based. The art academy played a crucial role in codifying artistic practices. Drawing from life became an important element of academic training, and the nude male body was perceived as the ideal form. The study of classical antiquity and mythology was critical for history painting, regarded as the most elevated genre. By studying drawings like these, we can understand the way the cultural values of the time influenced artistic practice.