Fragment of a Lion Bas-Relief (verso) c. 1750s

This red chalk drawing, *Fragment of a Lion Bas-Relief (verso)*, is a study by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, noted for his detailed etchings and drawings of ancient Roman architecture and ruins. This verso drawing is a preparatory sketch for Piranesi's famed engravings and provides insight into the artist's meticulous process and style. The detailed rendering of the lion's fur and musculature showcases Piranesi's ability to capture both the grandeur and the intimate details of his subjects, revealing his fascination with the classical world.