# Battle of the Nudes

**Antonio Pollaiuolo** (Italian, 1431/32–1498)  
1470s–80s  
engraving  
Platemark: 42 x 60.4 cm (16 9/16 x 23 3/4 in.); Sheet: 42.4 x 60.9 cm (16 11/16 x 24 in.)

Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1967.127. [The museum's record](https://clevelandart.org/art/1967.127).

## About this work

This engraving is one of the earliest Renaissance prints to portray the nude male body in action. Antonio del Pollaiuolo’s grimacing warriors appear like clones in different poses. The print may have functioned as a model for workshop apprentices studying human anatomy while learning to draw; however, the artist’s Latin signature suggests it also had an audience educated in literature. Art historians remain uncertain whether Pollaiuolo intended to depict a particular story or historical event. It is possible he created a deliberately ambiguous allegory that would appeal to patrons interested in interpreting symbols. For example, the continuous chain shared by the two central men could refer to an ancient idea that the body is the chain of the soul, only to be released in death.

_Text from the Cleveland Museum of Art._

Antonio Pollaiuolo made this in the 1470s–80s, aged about 38. It is now at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

### How it was made

- **Engraving.** Lines cut directly into a metal plate with a steel burin, which makes them swell and taper. It took years to master, and for centuries it was how paintings travelled as pictures.

### [Antonio Pollaiuolo](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/antonio-pollaiuolo)

Italian, 1431/32–1498; born in Florence; died in Rome

## Facts

- Type: Print
- Culture: Italy
- The artist was about 38
- Real size: about 17 × 24 in (42 × 60 cm). The 18 × 24 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 15th century
- Movement: [Renaissance](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/renaissance)
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/663.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/663/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/battle-of-the-nudes-cma-143142).