Annibale CARRACCI

Study for an ignudo
(1598-1599)

Medium

black chalk heightened with white, squared up for enlargement in black chalk, on faded blue paper; laid down

Credit Line: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with the assistance of a State Government grant, 1972

Gallery location: Not on display

About this work

This drawing by Annibale Carracci is a study for a naked youth (known as an ignudo) in the fresco Venus and Anchises at the Farnese Gallery in Rome. The ignudo’s dynamic pose was likely based on that of a live model. At the same time, the figure’s contorted muscular form is clearly inspired by Michelangelo’s ignudi on the Sistine Chapel ceiling and, in turn, the idealised proportions of ancient sculpture. These dual influences – observations from life, coupled with the classicising tendencies of High Renaissance Roman painting – were to form the basis of Baroque art. Carracci’s Farnese Gallery ceiling fresco is regarded as one of the finest examples of this nascent style.

Artwork Details

Medium

black chalk heightened with white, squared up for enlargement in black chalk, on faded blue paper; laid down

Measurements

37.7 × 32.6 cm (sheet)

Accession Number

P10-1972

Department

International Prints and Drawings

Credit Line

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with the assistance of a State Government grant, 1972
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest

Gallery location

Not on display

Subjects (general)

Human Figures

Subjects (specific)

men (male humans) nudes (representations) sketches

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Annibale CARRACCI Study for an ignudo (1598-1599)

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Annibale CARRACCI

Study for an ignudo
(1598-1599)