Statue of Antinous
Cornelis Pronk captures the idealized beauty of Antinous in this warm-toned drawing, depicting the young man as a classical statue. Leaning casually against a tree stump with a cloth draped over his shoulder, the figure exudes the melancholic grace that made Antinous a favorite subject for artists centuries after his death. The inscription at the bottom identifies him clearly, referencing the tragic lover of Emperor Hadrian who was deified after drowning in the Nile. It’s a perfect example of 18th-century academic study, where artists copied ancient masterpieces to perfect their understanding of anatomy.
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