Figure studies: seated and standing men 1615 - 1673

Curator: This is "Figure studies: seated and standing men," an ink drawing by Salvator Rosa, likely created sometime between 1615 and 1673. It currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: My first thought is that it's sketchy in the best way. You can practically see the artist's hand moving across the page. Curator: Absolutely, Rosa was known for his energetic and often theatrical compositions, which he developed through numerous drawings. This piece provides insight into his process of exploring the human form and its potential for conveying emotion. Editor: The focus seems less on perfection and more on the raw physical presence of the figures, especially when it comes to depicting their garments, helmets and postures. Curator: Consider that in 17th-century Italy, academic art was ascendant. Yet, Rosa also had a reputation as a rebellious figure. These “figure studies” provided the basis to create the theatrical narrative scenes for which he was best known. Editor: There's a utilitarian element here that's interesting—not just as preparation for grander pieces, but it also stands alone as an exercise in materiality: ink on paper, the economy of line... Curator: His work became popular in Britain and France and then these paintings began to show up on aristocratic walls throughout Europe, subtly endorsing the nobility and political leaders, a public and sometimes blatant form of self-promotion. Editor: Rosa probably understood the power that material could bring as he could not have sold artworks unless the quality was exceptional. The intensity and quality were key. Curator: It's a testament to how the art world often takes its fuel and ideas. Today we looked at the role drawings had in this relationship to the bigger more public works. Editor: From just a few marks with pen on paper. Quite remarkable!