Neptune n.d.

This anonymous red chalk drawing depicts the Roman god Neptune, the god of the sea, sitting and holding a staff. The drawing, which is now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, is a study for a larger composition, likely a painting or sculpture. The artist's use of red chalk creates a sense of warmth and depth, while the figure's powerful pose and expressive face evoke Neptune's divine power and authority. The drawing is a fine example of the study of the human figure, which was a central practice for artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.