MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
(b. 1475, Caprese, d. 1564, Roma)

Archers Shooting at a Herm (recto)

c. 1530
Red chalk, 219 x 323 mm
Royal Collection, Windsor

The red chalk drawing on the recto of this sheet depicts a group of nude figures which appear as archers aiming at a herm in the guise of a youth. Strangely, the bows are not depicted in the drawing. The drawing can be interpreted as an allegory. The verso contains several notes from which it can be derived that the Archers belongs to Michelangelo's presentation drawings.