Satyr holding a fantastical creature (recto); Two candelabra grotesques (verso) 1540 - 1550

This pen drawing by Andrés de Melgar, created between 1540 and 1550, depicts a satyr holding a fantastical creature. The intricate detail of the satyr's anatomy and the grotesque, serpentine form of the creature highlight the artist's skill in capturing the fantastical and the grotesque. The drawing's composition, featuring a swirling background and the dramatic pose of the satyr, adds to the sense of theatricality, typical of the Mannerist style popular in 16th century Europe. This drawing is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.