Triton frieze c. 1545 - 1550

This drawing by Italian artist Giovanni Cambiaso, created around 1545-1550, depicts a scene from the myth of Triton, a sea god often depicted as half-human and half-fish. This preliminary sketch, now housed in the Städel Museum, showcases Cambiaso's mastery of the human form, evident in the dynamic poses of the figures and the fluid, expressive lines. The use of brown ink creates a sense of depth and movement, suggesting the energy of the sea and the mythical nature of the subject matter.