Daedalus and Icarus n.d.

This pen and ink drawing by Giulio Romano, a prominent artist of the High Renaissance, depicts the Greek mythological figures Daedalus and Icarus. The drawing, likely a study for a larger work, showcases Romano's mastery of anatomy and draftsmanship. The dynamic pose and detailed depiction of the figures, including the elaborate wings, convey the drama of the myth, in which Icarus, defying his father’s warnings, flies too close to the sun, melting the wax holding his wings together and plummeting to his death. This drawing, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Romano’s artistic skill and the enduring power of classical mythology.