Equitum, in Quirinali, aversa parte

Italian 16th Century (published by Antonio Salamanca)

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of two large equine statues with human figures standing on top of an ancient wall. The image depicts a pair of colossal horse statues with muscular human figures beside each equine structure. The wall looks old and built of bricks, with part of it serving as the base for the sculptures. The human figures are wearing classical draperies and standing in contrapposto, with one arm extended towards the horses. In the foreground, two smaller human figures appear to be analyzing the scene, with one gesturing upwards. In the background, there are subtle landscape elements, including rolling hills and a distant structure. Some rudimentary foliage grows around the ruin, indicating neglect or the passage of time. Cloud formations in the sky are depicted using cross-hatching techniques, contributing to the aged and historical aesthetic of the scene.