Study of a Young Man with his Hands tied behind his back
about 1434 - 1438
The model for this drawing was probably an assistant in Pisanello's workshop. His pose is similar to that of a hanged man included in the background of one of Pisanello's most famous works, a mural painting of St George and the Princess in the church of Sant' Anastasia, Verona (c.1433-8). Pisanello made studies of hanging corpses from different angles (British Museum, London) but in this quill pen drawing he focuses on the single posed figure, capturing the form and textures with great skill and economy.
