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  • image SM volume 115/161a

Reference number

SM volume 115/161a

Purpose

Drawing 1 (left half, top left): Male-headed sphinx

Aspect

Part of an ornamental composition

Scale

Not known

Signed and dated

  • c.1515
    Datable to c.1515

Medium and dimensions

Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk

Hand

Bernardo della Volpaia

Notes

The extraordinary male sphinx in this well-finished drawing has dragon-like wings and a neck of worm-like segments rising to a bearded head with narrow horns and projecting corkscrew curls. No close parallel for the drawing has been found and it is probably a modern invention, belonging to the second phase in the codex’s production.

Literature

Ashby 1904, p. 73

Level

Drawing

Digitisation of the Codex Coner has been made possible through the generosity of the Census of Antique Works of Art and Architecture Known in the Renaissance, Berlin.

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk