Anonymous draughtsman, Italian School
17th century
Red chalk and white highlighting on buff paper
Image 6 1/4 x 8 inches; archival frame 17 x 18 1/2 inches
Provenance: Richard Yeakel, until 2001; private collection, acquired from the above, 2001; private collection, acquired from the above, 2018; private New England collection
A study of three draped figures in animated arrangement: a woman seen from behind at left, a central male figure with arms extended in gesture, and a second woman turning inward at right. The drapery is handled with confidence and fluency, the white heightening deployed to model the fall of fabric across each figure. Studies of this type served as compositional preparations for multi-figure narrative scenes, allowing the draughtsman to work out the disposition and movement of individual figures before committing to a larger work.
The combination of red chalk and white highlighting on buff paper is characteristic of central Italian draftsmanship of the 17th century, a technique descending from the Florentine and Roman schools of the previous century and widely practiced in the studios of painters working in the grand decorative tradition. The sheet is in good condition with natural toning to the paper and is presented in a period carved frame.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Anonymous draughtsman, Italian School
17th century
Red chalk and white highlighting on buff paper
Image 6 1/4 x 8 inches; archival frame 17 x 18 1/2 inches
Provenance: Richard Yeakel, until 2001; private collection, acquired from the above, 2001; private collection, acquired from the above, 2018; private New England collection
A study of three draped figures in animated arrangement: a woman seen from behind at left, a central male figure with arms extended in gesture, and a second woman turning inward at right. The drapery is handled with confidence and fluency, the white heightening deployed to model the fall of fabric across each figure. Studies of this type served as compositional preparations for multi-figure narrative scenes, allowing the draughtsman to work out the disposition and movement of individual figures before committing to a larger work.
The combination of red chalk and white highlighting on buff paper is characteristic of central Italian draftsmanship of the 17th century, a technique descending from the Florentine and Roman schools of the previous century and widely practiced in the studios of painters working in the grand decorative tradition. The sheet is in good condition with natural toning to the paper and is presented in a period carved frame.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
