Study of Jove and Three Goddesses 

Lorenzo Bartolini created this drawing, "Study of Jove and Three Goddesses", with pencil and stump. The circular composition immediately draws the eye, a deliberate choice that frames the classical figures within a contained space. Bartolini's use of line is particularly striking. Energetic, scribbled lines form the backdrop, contrasting with the more defined contours of Jove and the goddesses. This contrast destabilizes a traditional reading of mythological scenes, moving away from idealized forms towards a dynamic, almost chaotic representation. The stump technique softens the figures, blurring the lines between the subjects. This textural choice undermines the clear, academic style of the time, and introduces a sense of ambiguity. We are left questioning the fixed meanings associated with classical subjects, opening the work to diverse interpretations. The circular structure and varied linework create a visual dialogue, inviting us to reconsider established artistic values.