Nude Studies for the Battle of Anghiari and Other Figures
Pen studies of two standing male nudes, groups of struggling figures and mounted horsemen
A crowded pen sheet, catalogued by the Biblioteca Reale as nudes for the "Battaglia di Anghiari" together with other figure studies. Two large standing male nudes dominate the upper right, seen from behind and worked up with dense hatching to bring out the musculature of back, buttocks and legs. Smaller, more rapid groups of struggling and gesturing nude figures fill the left and centre, and along the lower edge Leonardo sketches mounted horsemen and galloping horses. The studies range from careful anatomical figure work to quick notations of figures and horses in violent motion.
On this page
Two standing male nudes from behind
At the upper right two powerful male figures stand seen from the back, their muscular relief built up with fine parallel and cross-hatching. They read as finished life studies among the sheet's quicker sketches.
Groups of struggling and gesturing nudes
Toward the left and centre several smaller nude figures grapple, stride and gesture in rapid pen outline. These lively groups explore poses of conflict and exertion at a sketch scale.
Mounted horsemen and galloping horses
Along the lower edge Leonardo notes riders on horseback and loose horses in mid-gallop, their legs splayed in movement. The horses are set down swiftly, in keeping with the sheet's battle subject.