Clearly based on classical antiquity (the cultures of ancient greece and rome), the print is monumental in size (approximately 15 x 23 inches) and, because of its shallow space, resembles ancient roman relief sculpture In the picture, five men wearing headbands fight against an. Another interpretation suggests that the ten nude figures locked in combat may be gladiators fighting in funeral games, and the print itself may have commemorated the death of a prominent florentine Pollaiuolo's apparent interest is to describe the human body in a state of action, in varied poses, and from different angles. Battle of the nudes 1470/1475 antonio del pollaiuolo artist, italian, c An authentic icon in the history of engraving, this is one of the most famous of the many images reproduced using the new printing methods of the early renaissance, and the first work to be clearly signed by its maker.
Detail, antonio pollaiuolo, battle of ten nudes (or battle of nude men), c This engraving is one of the earliest renaissance prints to portray the nude male body in action Antonio del pollaiuolo's grimacing warriors appear like clones in different poses The print may have functioned as a model for workshop apprentices studying human anatomy while learning to draw However, the artist's latin signature suggests it also had an audience educated in literature Battle of the nudes is antonio pollaiuolo's only engraving, and is one of the masterpieces of early renaissance printmaking
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