The artwork, titled “Sketch of a Nude Man (study for the ‘Battle of Cascina’),” was created by Michelangelo around 1503 in Florence, Italy. This high Renaissance piece was rendered using Indian ink on paper and measures 37.5 by 23 centimeters. Classified under the genre of sketch and study, this artwork now resides in the British Museum in London, UK.
The artwork features a nude male figure, depicted with a dynamic sense of movement, which is characteristic of Michelangelo’s anatomical precision and expressive line work. The figure’s musculature is meticulously detailed, capturing both the tension and fluidity of the human form. The male subject is poised with one arm raised, adding to the composition’s sense of action and energy. The sketch serves as a preparatory study for Michelangelo’s grander composition, the “Battle of Cascina,” representing his profound understanding of human anatomy and his capability to convey dramatic intensity through simple materials on paper.
