Procession of Figures and Oxen n.d.

Biagio Pupini created this drawing, "Procession of Figures and Oxen," sometime between 1511 and 1551, using pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white, on prepared paper. The eye is immediately drawn to the dynamic arrangement of figures and the monumental ox. Note how Pupini uses line and shadow to create a sense of depth and movement, a technique reminiscent of ancient friezes. The figures are closely packed, their robes swirling around them, suggesting both a physical procession and a deeper, perhaps ritualistic, narrative. Pupini, influenced by his time in Raphael’s workshop, demonstrates an interest in classical forms. Yet, the drawing transcends mere imitation. The dramatic lighting and expressive figures add a layer of emotional intensity. The careful layering of ink washes creates texture, giving a tactile quality to the figures and animals. This work invites us to consider how Renaissance artists grappled with classical ideals, transforming them through innovative techniques and nuanced emotional expression.