Nude Male Figure (Study for the Battle of Cascina)
Drawing on paper • Michelangelo Buonarroti
Style & Movement
High Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with traces of black chalk or leadpoint; cross-hatching and contour modeling
Creation Period
Circa 1504-1505
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 25 cm (sheet); vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A muscular male nude shown standing in a slight contrapposto, with one arm raised toward the shoulder and the other hanging by the side. This is an anatomical study focusing on the torsion of the torso and the definition of the musculature, likely intended for the ill-fated 'Battle of Cascina' fresco.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (considering age); consistent with 16th-century works on paper
Estimated Market Value
$10,000,000 - $30,000,000 (Based on the rarity of autograph Michelangelo drawings reaching the public market)
Auction Estimate
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000
Provenance History
Likely part of a private European collection or major museum print room (e.g., Teylers Museum or British Museum); contains visible collector's marks at the bottom corners.
Art Historical Significance
Extremely high; represents the peak of High Renaissance anatomical study and Michelangelo's 'terribilità'. It serves as a vital record of the lost Cascina project which influenced generations of artists including Raphael and Rubens.
Notable Features
Distinctive sculptural cross-hatching reflecting Michelangelo's background as a stonecarver; presence of a drystamp or collector mark in the lower right corner.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (brown spots), minor paper discoloration/yellowing due to oxidation, slight acid burn from historic mounting, and minor edge wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Storage in a climate-controlled environment with 50% RH, protection from UV light (museum-grade glass), and use of acid-free archival matting.