Male Back With a Flag, Chalk drawing in Albertina, Austria
Male Back With a Flag is a chalk drawing held at the Albertina showing a man from behind holding a banner, rendered with careful anatomical detail. The work demonstrates skilled execution through precise shading and the emphasis placed on muscle structure.
Created in 1504, the drawing served as a preparatory study for a large mural intended for the Palazzo della Signoria. The artist used this study to work out movement and posture before executing it at a larger scale.
The drawing represents flag bearers who performed communication functions during Renaissance military operations through coordinated flag movements and signals.
The drawing is sensitive to light and stored under controlled conditions, which may limit its display availability. Visitors should check ahead about viewing periods to ensure the work is on display.
The work was executed in chalk, a more fragile medium than other drawing techniques of the time, making its survival to the present day remarkable. This delicate nature explains why it must be protected so carefully.
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