Sheet of Satirical Studies (Amorini Riding Phalli)

Description

This outrageous and comical sheet stands out as one of the few existing examples of Rosa's representation of bawdy material. While Rosa was not interested in lewd imagery for vulgarity's sake, he certainly enjoyed intellectual jokes that advertised his erudite knowledge. The grotesque face at the right, and the cupids that ride the almost-elephantine phalli at center reference Classical and Renaissance motifs. Heads composed of objects-particularly the famous Testa di Cazzi ("head of penises")-were frequently used as decoration on Renaissance maiolica ceramics. This kind of imagery- like the museum's witchcraft paintings-would have been understood by 17th-century audiences as more than just grotesquerie. The exaggerated and lampooning qualities of this drawing both reference and parody these famous artistic traditions, showing how Rosa frequently used satirical humor to establish his identity as a sharp and sophisticated artist.

Provenance

Ex collections: Earl Spencer (Lugt 1530); [Herbert Bier, London].; Aware of the Cleveland Museum of Art's fine collection of Italian and French drawings, Joseph McCrindle has given five sheets, five Italian and one French, to the CMA. Please see no. 1 for ex collections.

Sheet of Satirical Studies (Amorini Riding Phalli)

Salvator Rosa

c. 1650s

Accession Number

2009.154

Medium

Pen and brown ink, wash, and red chalk

Dimensions

Sheet: 14 x 36.7 cm (5 1/2 x 14 7/16 in.)

Classification

Drawing

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Joseph F. McCrindle