The Discovery of Romulus and Remus (recto); Three Ancient Soldiers (verso)

Art Historical Context

In the late Baroque era, Italian artist Paolo Pagani (1655–1716) created this dynamic double-sided drawing around 1690–1700, capturing mythological drama on its recto and classical vigor on its verso. The illustrates *The Discovery of Romulus and Remus*, the legendary twin founders of Rome, nursed by a she-wolf and found by a shepherd—a timeless Roman myth symbolizing origins and destiny. Flipping to the back reveals *Three Ancient Soldiers*, likely figural studies evoking heroic antiquity, with muscular forms and poised stances that reflect Pagani's interest in classical history and movement. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash on brownish paper, this sheet exemplifies Baroque draftsmanship techniques. The fluid lines and subtle washes build depth and shadow, creating a sense of immediacy ideal for preparatory sketches or *modelli* for larger paintings. Pagani, trained in Venice and active across Europe, infused his works with dramatic chiaroscuro and emotional intensity, bridging Italian tradition with emerging international styles. A generous gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1880, this 7⅝ × 11⅞-inch treasure (19.4 × 29.1 cm) invites visitors to ponder Rome's enduring legacy through Pagani's masterful touch—animals, soldiers, and gods alive on paper.