Three Costume or Figure Studies

This group consists of three drawings in pen and ink with wash, attributed to the French seventeenth-century artist Pierre Paul Sevin. Each drawing contains a single figure or costume study. At least one of the figure studies has a biblical connotation and represents a young David with the head of Goliath. A second winged figure should likely be identified as cupid rather than as an angel. The third figure stands out from the group due to its architectural nature, with the figure functioning as a structural support (caryatid) for a small altar with a burning fire. Since many of these designs relate to ephemeral productions for performances or ceremonies etc., drawings of this kind form important historic documents that contain information that is otherwise lost.