The artwork titled “Studies of Grotesques” is attributed to the eminent artist Michelangelo, created in the context of the Mannerism movement which prevailed during the Late Renaissance, specifically in 1530, in Rome, Italy. This sketch and study, measuring 25.5 by 35 centimeters, embodies the characteristic experimentation with forms that are often associated with Mannerism. Presently, the artwork is housed in the British Museum located in London, UK.
The artwork itself presents a series of character studies that diverge from classical beauty, exploring the exaggerated and whimsical. It employs a loose, sketched style that captures the essence of the subjects with gestural lines. The figures depicted are unusual and somewhat distorted, each carrying a distinctive expression and set of features that render them ‘grotesque’, as the title suggests. Michelangelo’s prowess in anatomy is still evident even in these ostensibly caricatured faces, demonstrating his exploration of human physiognomy and emotional expression. The arrangement of figures in the composition tends to draw the viewer’s eye across the page, engaging with each individual face in a searching manner typical for studies of this kind.
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