Artwork

The Figurine Series: Figurine

The Figurine Series: Figurine, by Salvator Rosa, 1656
The Figurine Series: Figurine, by Salvator Rosa, 1656

The Figurine Series: Figurine is a print by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1656 by Italian Baroque artist Salvator Rosa, *The Figurine Series: Figurine* is a print that showcases the artist's versatility beyond his renowned dramatic landscapes and history paintings.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a tense scene of a man being forcibly dragged away by two armored figures, conveying a sense of turmoil and conflict through dynamic poses and stark contrasts.

Technique & Style

Rosa employed chiaroscuro to achieve a dramatic effect, leveraging strong light and dark contrasts to create depth and volume, hallmarking the Baroque style's emphasis on emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Part of a series exploring figurative subjects, *The Figurine Series: Figurine* is now held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, reflecting Rosa's recognized multifaceted talents in his time.

Context

While Rosa is famous for landscapes set in untamed nature, this work highlights his engagement with figurative themes, showcasing his breadth as a Baroque artist, poet, satirist, actor, musician, and printmaker.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Salvator Rosa

Artist

Salvator Rosa

Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.