Seated Sibyl and Attendant Genius (recto); Study of the Head of a Horse in Profile (verso) 1535 - 1545

"Seated Sibyl and Attendant Genius (recto); Study of the Head of a Horse in Profile (verso)" is a red chalk drawing by Italian artist Pirro Ligorio, dated between 1535 and 1545. The recto depicts a seated sibyl, a prophetess in ancient Roman religion, holding a scroll. A smaller figure, possibly a genius, stands behind her. On the verso, a study of a horse's head in profile is visible. The drawing, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Ligorio's skill in capturing form and movement. The loose, expressive lines convey both the physical presence of the figures and a sense of their internal energy. This drawing exemplifies the artist's interest in classical mythology and his exploration of human anatomy.