Centaur c. 17th century

Carlo Saraceni created this captivating study of a centaur sometime between 1579 and 1620, using brown wash and pen on paper. The oval composition immediately draws the eye to the mythical creature, its form emerging from a cloud-like background. The artist masterfully employs line and shade to give shape to the centaur. Note the careful use of hatching to model the musculature of the human torso and the equine body, creating a sense of volume and depth. This technique also serves to integrate the figure with its setting, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal. The centaur itself embodies a destabilization of established categories, merging human intellect with animal instinct. Consider how Saraceni’s formal decisions contribute to the overall impact of the work. The use of a warm brown wash creates a sense of unity and harmony, enhancing the dreamlike quality of the scene. This careful manipulation of form and medium not only demonstrates Saraceni’s technical skill, but also invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between nature and culture.