.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
It is difficult to be sure what event Fuseli has depicted in the present densely executed drawing. The post to which the two naked figures are shown bound, is partly covered by bold hatching that conceals a further figure, apparently female, in profile facing right, her right arm outstretched to embrace the right-hand male. The elaborate hair-do of the man on the left resembles that of Siegfried in one of Fuseli’s illustrations to the Nibelungenlied of 1806 (Schiff, no. 1796, illustrated II, p. 583). The head of the man on the right lolls, as if unconscious. David Weinglass suggests that these two male figures are possibly Panhellenic athletes, one defeated and one victorious.
On the verso is a drawing of a Greek athlete, similar in style and subject to that in lot 94. Unlike the Roman Gladiator, who fought to kill and wore protective clothing, the Greek athlete competed naked, which gave the Romans some disquiet. In this instance he is a ‘leaper’ or long-jumper. David Weinglass describes him as ‘tucking his right arm into his side, lowering and pushing his head forward as he launches himself into the air, gaining thrust by stamping his right foot, his left leg raised as if glued to his thigh, and extending his left arm.' Between 600 and 450 BC there was a growing number of Panhellenic games, of which the Olympian and Pythian, were the best known. Fuseli was very well versed in ancient Greek and would have been familiar with Pindar's Odes describing the games with expressive similes and metaphors.
On the verso is a drawing of a Greek athlete, similar in style and subject to that in lot 94. Unlike the Roman Gladiator, who fought to kill and wore protective clothing, the Greek athlete competed naked, which gave the Romans some disquiet. In this instance he is a ‘leaper’ or long-jumper. David Weinglass describes him as ‘tucking his right arm into his side, lowering and pushing his head forward as he launches himself into the air, gaining thrust by stamping his right foot, his left leg raised as if glued to his thigh, and extending his left arm.' Between 600 and 450 BC there was a growing number of Panhellenic games, of which the Olympian and Pythian, were the best known. Fuseli was very well versed in ancient Greek and would have been familiar with Pindar's Odes describing the games with expressive similes and metaphors.