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