Sheet of Studies: Three Figures Above, Studies of Horses Below

Art Historical Context

**Sheet of Studies: Three Figures, Studies of Horses Below *Micco Spadaro (ico Gargiulo),, active 1612–75* Pen and brown ink, brush brown and a little red wash, 8-3/8 x 5-3/8 in. (21.2 x 13.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fund, 1964. This intimate sheet of studies by Neapolitan Baroque artist Mic Spadaro captures the energy of artistic preparation. At the top, three dynamic male figures twist and gesture with expressive poses, while below, lively horse sketches prance and rear, showcasing the artist's keen observation of anatomy and movement. Spadaro, a specialist in battle scenes and landscapes, often populated his compositions with such figures and animals, drawing from the vibrant street life and cavalry traditions of 17th-century Naples. Crafted with pen and brown ink for precise, fluid lines, enhanced by brush-applied brown wash and subtle red-brown accents for depth and warmth, this drawing exemplifies Baroque draftsmanship. Multiple studies on a single small sheet reflect the efficient workshop practices of the era, where artists like Spadaro refined ideas for larger paintings. Housed in the Met's Drawings and Prints department, it offers a window into the creative process of a lesser-known master whose works bridged realism and drama in Southern Italian art.