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Drawings of the 16th century

Drawings made in the 16th century, from every museum.

35 works · hang 9199 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. Three insects are depicted in the image: a butterfly with dark blue and red wings on the bottom left, a larger butterfly with white, black, and blue patterns at the top center, and a dragonfly with brown and gold tones on the bottom right. The color palette includes rich blues, reds, browns, and golds against a neutral background. The central butterfly is positioned higher than the other two insects, with the left butterfly and right dragonfly symmetrically arranged below.
    Plate 13: Yellow Swallowtail and Red Admiral Butterflies with a Dragonfly (Broad-Bodied Chaser?)Joris Hoefnagel, c.1575/1590sCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image features the upper body and head of a man in a circular frame. The man is facing slightly to the side and downward, with his body oriented to the left and his head turned towards the viewer. He has a prominent forehead, a defined nose, a furrowed brow, and a scrunched face. His hair is thinning on top, with longer strands curling around the back and sides of his head. The man has a beard with similar curled texture as his hair. He is wearing a garment that drapes over his shoulders, with visible folds and a texture that suggests a substantial fabric. No jewelry or objects are in his hands, as they are not visible in this image. The background is plain with a light, sketchy look, focusing attention on the man as the central figure in the circular composition.
    Head of an ApostleHendrick GoltziusCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Standing Officer Holding a Boar's Spear, by Hendrick Goltzius, 1586
    Standing Officer Holding a Boar's SpearHendrick Goltzius, 1586Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. Ice skaters on the Amstel in Amsterdam, by Hans Bol, 1589
    Ice skaters on the Amstel in AmsterdamHans Bol, 1589Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Study of Eleven Heads, by Jacques de Gheyn II, late 16th–early 17th century
    Study of Eleven HeadsJacques de Gheyn II, late 16th–early 17th centuryCourtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. The image shows a sketch of a seated bearded figure holding an orb. The figure appears muscular, with a beard merging into long hair. The face is not detailed, and draped fabric covers part of the body. There is no jewelry, and the background is plain.
    Saint JeromeAlessandro Vittoria, 1565/1570Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. Study for the Nude Youth over the Prophet Daniel (recto); Figure Studies for the Sistine Ceiling (verso), by Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1510–11
    Study for the Nude Youth over the Prophet Daniel (recto); Figure Studies for the Sistine Ceiling (verso)Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1510–11Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Still Life with Flowers, a Snail and Insects, by Joris Hoefnagel, 1589
    Still Life with Flowers, a Snail and InsectsJoris Hoefnagel, 1589Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. View of Heidelberg, by Jan Brueghel the Elder, ca. 1588–89
    View of HeidelbergJan Brueghel the Elder, ca. 1588–89Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 2, north wall

  1. Head of a Young Woman, by Albrecht Dürer, 1522
    Head of a Young WomanAlbrecht Dürer, 1522Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Diana and Actaeon, by Bartholomeus Spranger, ca. 1580–85
    Diana and ActaeonBartholomeus Spranger, ca. 1580–85Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. Bacchanal, by Nicolas Poussin, ca. 1635–36
    BacchanalNicolas Poussin, ca. 1635–36Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 3, north wall

  1. This is a drawing of two armored knights on horseback during a joust. It depicts two horses with riders clad in full armor, including helmets with decorative details. Each knight holds a lance, poised as if they are about to engage in a jousting match. The horses are also adorned in armor, with a colorful caparison draped over them. On the ground, there are lances and a halberd seen in the foreground. There are also disembodied arms and hands illustrated in the composition, adding an abstract element. The style is illustrative, capturing the medieval theme of chivalric tournaments.
    Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without BevorsUnrecorded German maker, c.1512-1515Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Arm of Eve, by Albrecht Dürer, 1507
    Arm of EveAlbrecht Dürer, 1507Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 3, south wall

  1. The Head of the Virgin in Three-Quarter View Facing Right, by Leonardo da Vinci, 1510–13
    The Head of the Virgin in Three-Quarter View Facing RightLeonardo da Vinci, 1510–13Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The Seed Received among the Thorns, from the Parable of the Sower, by Gerard P. van Groningen, c. 1573
    The Seed Received among the Thorns, from the Parable of the SowerGerard P. van Groningen, c. 1573Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art