The Wrestlers

This beautiful drawing is a study of the antique (Roman) statue from the Uffizi in Florence (inv. 216, see aditional photograph) of which many later versions are known but many engravings also exist. However, because of the different pentimenti and different angles, we can assume that our drawing was made after the original statue, which was already in the Uffizi in the 16th century. Not only the red-chalk technique but also the style undeniably betray Michaelangelo's influence.
Red cray and white chalk, 22.2 x 27.9 cm (8 ³/₄ x 11 inches)