A Hawk

Pisanello

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing attributed to Pisanello. This is a detailed drawing is of a sparrowhawk, viewed from the side. The bird's wings are outstretched, revealing intricately patterned plumage. The bird's talons are also bared. There is evidence of creases and tears in the original paper that the print is made from. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "1. PISANELLO? (ANTONIO PISANO) (b. 1397 (?); d. 1455) A HAWK Collection of the Duke of Devonshire, K.G., Chatsworth. Under glass. Pen and ink and brown water-colour. About 21.5 x 21.5 cm. (8 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.). A drawing of a Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter Nisus), probably (in the opinion of an expert zoologist) not from the life but from a dead specimen. A second drawing, also at Chatsworth, of a falcon on a fist, which appears to be by the same hand as this, may be compared with a Vallardi drawing (No. 196 in the Reproductions). But the suggested attribution to Pisanello, whose studies were as a rule from the life, is doubtful. G. F. H."