Genius with the Medici Coat-of-Arms

Cherubino Alberti

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a winged cherub holding a sphere and flowers. The cherub is in flight, surrounded by flowing drapery and ribbons. The cherub has detailed feathered wings and is poised in motion with its right arm uplifted, holding a round orb with fleur-de-lis symbols. The left hand of the cherub clasps a bouquet of leafy branches. A ribbon with the inscription "POLO FLORESCERE DIGNA" unfurls around the scene. Detailed line work creates a sense of motion and texture in this classical representation.