Leda and the Swan

Studying for an extended period in Italy, then active at the highest levels across Central Europe, finally professor and director of the Viennese academy, Troger was the preeminent figure of his school in the first half of the 18th century. Drawing was fundamental to his art as both preparatory process and constant and evidently pleasurable exercise. This study, probably of the latter sort and Italian period, is characteristic of his best works in its grace, humor, and stroke that is at once light, glancing, and confidently organizing. This drawing was probably executed in Rome during Troger’s longest sojourn in Italy (1722-26).