Apollo, Marsyas, and Midas 16th century

This 16th-century drawing, titled "Apollo, Marsyas, and Midas," depicts a scene from Greek mythology. An anonymous artist uses red chalk on a blue-grey paper to capture the moment of the satyr Marsyas' defeat by the god Apollo in a musical contest. Marsyas' fate, to be flayed alive for his hubris, is foreshadowed by the figure of Midas, the judge of the contest, who is seen raising his arm. This preparatory drawing, likely made for a larger composition, showcases the artist's careful study of anatomy and movement, contributing to the dramatic tension of the scene. The work is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.