13 - 16 century collection

'Ulysses shooting through the rings', Francesco Primaticcio, 1555-59

Studies of the human body.

Red chalk and white heightening on pink prepared paper, 24.3 x 32.4cm

Accession Number WAG10843

This finished drawing is a preparatory study for one of the 59 frescos about the adventures of Ulysses which were painted at the Ulysses Gallery at Fontainebleau Palace in France.

The drawing fulfilled both a practical function, providing instructions to Primaticcio's assistants and an aesthetic role as an art object.

Primaticcio's skill as a draughtsman and the drawing's beauty attracted many artists and connoisseurs. This work was owned both by the painter Joshua Reynolds and by the Liverpool collector William Roscoe.

Purchased with the help of the National Art Collections Fund.

This work is currently not on display.

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