Study of a Statue of Pan c. 1520s

Polidoro da Caravaggio made this study of a statue of Pan using reddish-brown chalk. The use of this warm hue casts a unified tone across the figure, creating an immediate sense of classical antiquity. Consider how the hatching technique defines the form and volume of the statue. Note the parallel lines that suggest the drapery's folds and the figure's contours. The direction and density of these lines create areas of light and shadow, giving depth to the two-dimensional surface. The hatching also reveals a certain dynamism; the statue appears not static but caught in a moment of potential movement, the lines energizing its form. Da Caravaggio’s choice of medium, combined with his technique, serves as an interpretation of classical ideals through the artistic conventions of his time. The aesthetic value lies not only in the representation of Pan but also in the dialogue between form and material, engaging us in a conversation that transcends the centuries.