Male Figure Running 1582 - 1647

This pen and brown ink drawing captures a male figure in mid-stride, a study by Giovanni Lanfranco. The figure’s face is turned, mouth open, his cloak billowing behind him, evoking a sense of urgency. Here, the dynamic gesture resonates with ancient sculptures of fleeing figures, such as those depicted running from battle. The motif of the running figure, charged with emotional intensity, finds echoes in later works, like Bernini’s "Apollo and Daphne," where Daphne desperately flees Apollo's pursuit. This very act of flight becomes a potent symbol for the struggle between desire and freedom, evoking primal fears and aspirations. The image pulses with raw emotion, tapping into the collective memory of flight and pursuit. Like a recurring dream, the figure reappears throughout history, reborn in new forms.