Den antikke skulptur ’Belvedere Antinous’, set forfra 1628 - 1630

Willem Panneels made this red chalk drawing of the antique sculpture 'Belvedere Antinous'. During the 17th century, artists often studied and copied classical sculptures like this one. The Belvedere Antinous itself is a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture, representing Antinous, the young lover of Emperor Hadrian. Panneel's study reflects the cultural values of his time, which placed a high value on classical art and the male nude as symbols of ideal beauty and status. It also speaks to the complex history of queer identity in art. Hadrian's open affection for Antinous was scandalous, yet it solidified Antinous's legacy through numerous sculptures and portraits. Panneels doesn't just replicate the sculpture, he brings his own sensibility to it. The drawing captures the sensuality and vulnerability of Antinous. It invites us to contemplate themes of desire, beauty, and the ways in which historical figures are remembered and reimagined across centuries.