Italy / 1470s–80s
Battle of the Nudes
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Battle of the Nudes as print (Italy · 1470s–80s).
Considered a groundbreaking work in the history of the Italian Renaissance, the CMA holds the only known impression of the print's first state.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this print as engraving and credits Antonio del Pollaiuolo (Italian, 1431/32–1498).
The museum's collection notes: 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 continuou
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBattle of the NudesOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.