# Man Seated Holding a Forked Staff

**Giovanni Antonio da Brescia** (Italian, active c. 1490–1525 or after)  
c. 1514/1515  
engraving  
sheet (trimmed close to plate mark): 16.4 x 14.8 cm (6 7/16 x 5 13/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.3.2906. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.6082.html).

## About this work

Giovanni Antonio da Brescia made this in about 1514/1515, aged about 44. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a man seated with a slight forward tilt. He is muscular, with one leg bent and the other extended. His head is turned to the left in profile, revealing his facial features, which include a large nose, full beard, and curly hair. He appears naked except for a fabric drape over his shoulders. In his left hand, he holds a staff, and there is a plant with twisting vines near him. The background is a shaded rocky surface with no other details.

_Description from the National Gallery 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.

### [Giovanni Antonio da Brescia](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/giovanni-antonio-da-brescia)

Italian, active c. 1490–1525 or after

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was about 44
- Real size: about 6½ × 6 in (16 × 15 cm). The original is small: even the 8 × 10 in print shows it larger than life.
- Century: 16th century
- Subjects: plant, Seated figure, Male nude, Man
- 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/1345.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1345/1920.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; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

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/man-seated-holding-a-forked-staff-nga-6082).