Count Giorgio Durante

Count Giorgio Durante was an artist known for his detailed naturalistic studies, documented as being professionally active between 1685 and 1700. Durante’s surviving body of work consists of drawings created during the late 17th century, primarily focusing on careful observation of animals and studies of mortality.

Nine of his detailed studies are preserved in institutional collections, offering insight into anatomical and natural science illustration methods of the period. His works are characterized by their exacting focus on form and texture, often depicting common fowl and rodents in repose. Notable examples of these works include A Dead Bird (Quail?) Seen from Below, A Rat Seen in Profile, and Dead Duck.

The known corpus of Count Giorgio Durante prints and original drawings is held exclusively in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These specific works, which also include Dead Birds and Bird, Perhaps an Egret, Seen in Profile with One Wing Lifted, establish Durante’s specialization in preparatory studies. His meticulously rendered work is frequently reproduced as high-quality prints for research and collection purposes today.