Focus on this artwork and discuss the Possible drawing aids.
Another interpretation of this group of drawings is that they were didactic and created for the purposes of teaching Cavalieri how to draw. This interpretation stems from a comment from Vasari that Cavalieri was given these works "because he was learning to draw". Also, on the back of the Tityus drawing, the figure of Tityus has been redrawn into a representation of the Risen Christ. It was originally thought that Michelangelo had done the tracing on the back but some scholars now think that the Risen Christ was completed by Cavalieri as a drawing exercise. Cavalieri's hand has been more readily identifiable due to the discovery of several drawing by him including a copy of the Fall of Phaeton, which was another presentation drawing given to him by Michelangelo.Another aspect of the drawings suggesting they were teaching tools is that all four of the presentation drawings given to Cavalieri (Tityus, Ganymede, The Fall of Phaeton, and The Dreamer) all have the main figure facing different directions. For example, Tityus has the figure with his head downward facing the left while the figure from The Dreamer has his head up and to the right. Also, the figure in Ganymede is ascending vertically while the figure from The Fall of Phaeton is falling upside down. These four drawings as a group show the body facing all four cardinal directions and could have served to show Cavalieri how to depict the nude male form in different basic positions.
didactic Michelangelo Tityus Risen Christ Vasari Ganymede