Sketches of Turbanned Men (recto); Fragment of a Figure and Sketches of Foliated Architectural Ornament (verso)

1632·Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash (recto and verso), on ivory laid paper·20.6 × 14.8 cm (8 1/8 × 5 7/8 in.)

<p>Although the author of this small sheet is not confirmed, his flair for the exotic is apparent not only in the fantastic oriental headdresses he documented, but in the ferocious, painterly way he used the simple medium of pen and ink, which comes very close to the romantic figures of Salvator Rosa, the Neapolitan master.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1632
Medium: Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash (recto and verso), on ivory laid paper
Dimensions: 20.6 × 14.8 cm (8 1/8 × 5 7/8 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Salvator Rosa

Artist

Salvator Rosa

Painting

Salvator Rosa is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into the early 19th century. In his lifetime, he was among the most famous painters, known for his flamboyant personality, and regarded as an accomplished poet, satirist, actor, musician and printmaker. He was active in Naples, Rome, and Florence, where on occasion he was compelled to move between cities, as his caustic satire earned him enemies in the artistic and intellectual circles of the day.

Naples, Italy

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