Italian School, early 19th century

These sketches are inspired by heads of two different horses in Giulio Romano's fresco of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in the Stanze di Raffaello in the Vatican in Rome. Arising from Raphael's design, that large fresco was finished by Romano as well as other member's of Raphael's workshop after the master's death in 1520. 

These frescoes inspired artists in generations to follow, including the likes of Auguste-Jean-Baptiste Vinchon (1789-1855). Having won the Prix de Rome in 1814 from the Académie Royale de Paris, Vinchon traveled to and lived in Rome from 1815-1817. While here, he advanced his education by copying works by the great masters, and he also made comparable sketches of single horse heads from the same fresco, a set of which recently appeared at auction.¹

1. A set of 5, all oil on paper laid on canvas, each 60 by 76 cm. Sotheby's London, 25 June 2020, lot 49.