The artwork, “Studies for the Death of Empedokles,” created by the artist Salvator Rosa in 1666, employs pen and ink as its medium. It belongs to the Baroque art movement and is categorized as a sketch and study. This distinguished piece is housed in the National Gallery of Denmark, also known as the Statens Museum for Kunst, located in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The artwork displays a dynamic composition, characterized by vigorous and expressive line work emblematic of Rosa’s Baroque style. The sketch illustrates multiple figures in dramatic poses, likely depicting the tragic demise of the Pre-Socratic philosopher Empedokles. The figures appear to be in motion, capturing a sense of chaos and urgency. The use of ink creates sharp contrasts, emphasizing the figures’ forms and their dramatic gestures. The overall composition exudes a sense of tumult and passion, representative of the dramatic intensity associated with the Baroque period.
