Studies of Costume, Etc.

Pisanello

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Pisanello. The drawing shows studies of men in contemporary dress, and one figure in armour with a dragon. Most of the figures - arranged to the left side and along the bottom of the composition - are dressed in varying designs of elaborate fur coats, which have wide sleeves and fall to above the knee. Each drawing shows the wearer from a slightly different angle. In the upper part of the right side of the composition is a man sitting on a rock facing towards the right. This is the man wearing armour and he has his left knee bent and resting on the rock while his right foot hangs down. He is leaning on his left hand with his elbow positioned by his knee. Below this man is a small dragon climbing upwards (though there is no background provided). The dragon has a tail that loops in a circle and an extended neck. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 12 PISANELLO (b. 1397; d. 1455) STUDIES OF COSTUMES, ETC. Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan. Pen and bistre (or ink) on white vellum (not yellow, as in the reproduction). 27 x 19 cm. (10 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.) One of four drawings on a sheet folded in two. Besides the nine figures and the dragon seen in the plate, there are two figures, hardly discernible, in silver-point. The sheet is to be assigned to the artist's second Ferrarese period (1441-8), being probably more or less contemporary with the National Gallery panel of St. Anthony and St. George. The figures are mere notes of people seen about the Court; there is no reason to connect them with any design for a picture. ... G. F. H."