Design for the Base of a Vessel with Two Satyrs. 1652 - 1725

This drawing by Giovanni Battista Foggini, dated between 1652 and 1725, is a preparatory study for a larger work. The drawing depicts a satyr in a dynamic pose, with his arms raised and legs bent, suggesting a sense of movement and energy. This preparatory study, executed in pen and wash on paper, demonstrates Foggini's skill in capturing the human form and its potential for expressive gesture. The satyr, a figure from classical mythology associated with nature and revelry, is depicted with anatomical precision and lively detail. The artist's use of light and shade gives the drawing a sense of volume and depth, enhancing the feeling of life and movement. The study is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection in New York City.