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Drawing the human animal

We might try to deny our animal instincts, but this series of extraordinary 17th-century drawings suggests they are only too apparent.

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  • Cybele, Bacchus, Ceres and Flora on a chariot drawn by lions surrounded by all forms of natural abundance and cherubs, symbolising the element earth. Engraving by E. Baudet, 1695, after F. Albani.
  • Venus riding a scallop shell chariot over the seas accompanied by Neptune, nymphs and cherubs, symbolising the element water. Engraving by E. Baudet, 1695, after F. Albani.
  • Juno in a chariot drawn by two peacocks flying through the sky surrounded by nymphs and cherubs, Jupiter on the ground trying to lock up a group of putti: symbolising the element air. Engraving by E. Baudet, 1695, after F. Albani.
  • Vulcan in his forge with Jupiter throwing bolts of lightning, Venus in the sky above: symbolising the element fire. Engraving by E. Baudet, 1695, after F. Albani.
  • A treaty between Louis XIV of France (left, attended by Cardinal Mazarin), and Philip IV of Spain. Stipple engraving with etching by E. Jeaurat after C. Le Brun, 1728.
  • A cross-section of the wax model of an equestrian statue of Louis XIV: showing the core all surrounded by broken bricks, with an illustration of the whole model encased in a plaster mould, covered with an iron net. Engraving by R. Bénard.
  • Saint George: he attacks the dragon with his sword. Engraving by N. de Larmessin after Raphael.
  • Saint John the Baptist. Engraving by S. de La Vallée after Raphael.
  • Christ healing two blind men outside Jericho. Engraving by G. Chasteau after N. Poussin.
  • The Académie des Sciences, Paris: two medals. Line engraving.
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