Study of Putti, c. 1598-1602
Attributed to Annibale Carracciexpand_more
Black chalk on blue paper laid down on a Richardson mountexpand_more
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fundexpand_more 2013.44.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
An extraordinarily gifted draftsman, Annibale Carracci was the youngest and most successful Member of the famous Carracci workshop. An early biographer remarked that every movement, gesture, and act compelled the Carracci to draw. Whether walking about, talking, drinking, or eating, “they would sketch, with bread in one hand and a pencil or charcoal in the other.”
The large putto in this study, his left arm pulling on drapery, may represent a discarded idea for the baby frolicking in the bed curtains in Annibale’s painting "Sleeping Venus." The artist probably drew him in a matter of minutes, firmly modeling his chubby form, subtly foreshortening his pose (as seen from below), and giving the figure a quiet, childlike movement. The two lightly scribbled infants, likely sketched in just seconds, capture Annibale’s first, searching thoughts for two other infants.
Details
- Title
- Study of Putti
- Artist Life
- Italian (Bologna), 1560-1609
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2013.44.1
- Provenance
- Jonathan Richardson, Sr. (1665–1745), London (his shelf mark in pen and ink on verso of mount M. 36 / V. 43. / Z. 40. / Zg. 107 / Zi. 119. / Zq. 35; cf. Lugt 2983f.). Sir Francis Ferrand Foljambe (1750–1814), Osberton Hall, Scofton near Worksop, Nottinghamshire; by descent (until 2013); [C.G. Boerner, New York, 2013; sold to MIA]
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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