Four statues 

Gaspare Diziani created these energetic drawings of four statues with pen and brown ink in the 18th century. During this time, the concept of the statue was deeply entwined with ideals of beauty, power, and often, masculinity. Note how Diziani captures the idealized male form through the statues’ dynamic poses and muscular physiques. Statues, in their stoic permanence, were seen as embodiments of virtue and authority. But Diziani's hand lends them a sense of movement and life, defying the stone's inherent rigidity. He plays with the idea of permanence, creating these fluid sketches. What does it mean to capture something eternal with such temporary media? Through his sketches, Diziani subtly challenges the traditional static representation of statues. What stories do you imagine these figures could tell if they were animated? Consider how Diziani's work reflects not just the aesthetic values of his time but also the dynamic dialogue between art, identity, and representation.