Studies of Men Hanging

In 1435, the draftsman, painter, and medalist Pisanello painted a fresco depicting the legend of St. George for the Church of Sant’Anastasia in Verona. More than thirty preparatory studies survive, four of them relating to the subject of hanged men. Such a detail is not mentioned in the legend, but the artist included two hanged men in the background of the painting. In fifteenth-century Italy, criminals were often hanged publicly, so Pisanello may have observed details from life for this study of the bodies, clothing, and condition of the figures. Alternatively, he could have used studio assistants as models. Working out details of composition and of the men’s hose detached from their doublets, Pisanello experiments with additional studies of legs at the bottom of the sheet. Given the association of hanging with sin, justice, and punishment, the hanged men in the painting may have been intended to convey a moral message.