An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Battle of the Nudes1470s–80s
Antonio del Pollaiuolo
This engraving is one of the earliest Renaissance prints to portray the nude male body in action. Antonio del Pollaiuolo’s grimacing warriors appear like clones in different poses. The print may have functioned as a model for workshop apprentices studying human anatomy while learning to draw; however, the artist’s Latin signature suggests it also had an audience educated in literature. Art historians remain uncertain whether Pollaiuolo intended to depict a particular story or historical event. It is possible he created a deliberately ambiguous allegory that would appeal to patrons interested in interpreting symbols. For example, the continuous chain shared by the two central men could refer to an ancient idea that the body is the chain of the soul, only to be released in death.
Considered a groundbreaking work in the history of the Italian Renaissance, the CMA holds the only known impression of the print's first state.
engraving
Sheet: 42.4 x 60.9 cm (16 11/16 x 24 in.); Platemark: 42 x 60.4 cm (16 9/16 x 23 3/4 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
In the quiet embrace of the Renaissance, an engraving emerges like a whisper from the past, capturing the sinewy form of the human body in a dance of action and emotion. Crafted by the masterful hands of Antonio del Pollaiuolo, this artwork stands as one of the earliest to celebrate the nude male figure with such vigor. The figures within it—grimacing warriors—seem to echo one another in a series of striking poses, each a mirror reflecting different facets of the same fierce spirit.
As light flickers across the delicate lines of the engraving, one can't help but feel that these muscular forms are more than mere aesthetic studies. They may have served as a guide for eager apprentices, skillfully navigating the complexities of human anatomy under the watchful eyes of their master. Yet, beneath this surface lies another layer, hinted at by Pollaiuolo’s Latin signature, suggesting that this work was not just for instruction but also crafted for an audience drenched in the rich waters of literature and learning.
Art historians ponder over its deeper meanings. Did Pollaiuolo weave a particular tale or historical account into the threads of his artwork? Or perhaps, he skillfully straddled the line of ambiguity, inviting patrons to delve into their interpretations of the symbols he presented. One notable element is the continuous chain that binds the two central figures—a potent image that may speak to the ancient notion that the body is but a vessel, a chain linked to the soul, destined to be broken only in the quiet release of death.
As one gazes upon this engraving, it becomes a portal—an invitation to reflect upon the intertwining of flesh and spirit, ambition and fate, echoing through the annals of time. In Pollaiuolo's work, we find not just a study of the body, but a meditation on what it means to be human—caught in the throes of life, perpetually striving towards the ultimate liberation of the soul.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
The best place to view Cleveland Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.