Study of a Seated Youth, early 1590s
Ferraù Fenzoniexpand_more
Red chalk on cream laid paper, backed with Japanese paperexpand_more
Gift of Professor Alfred Moirexpand_more 97.182
Not on Viewexpand_more
Given that apprentices would enter a master's workshop around the age of 9 or 10, Ferraù Fenzoni likely borrowed one of his young assistants for this sheet. Here the boy poses in mounds of thick drapery while seated on a chair. The figure points directly at the artist - - a difficult pose sustained with the aid of a staff to support the boy's hand. Fenzoni represented this daringly foreshortened gesture with extraordinary skill.
Like a number of Fenzoni's life studies, the condition of this drawing is quite worn, indicating that it was displayed regularly and handled roughly. Perhaps the sheet was hung in the artist's studio as an exemplary life drawing, a model for young apprentices to study.
Details
- Title
- Study of a Seated Youth
- Artist Life
- (Faenza), 1562 - 1645
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 97.182
- Provenance
- 'Tito Miotti (1913-2002), cf. Lugt 4259, Venice and Udine; [Pietro Scarpa, Venice, until 1978/79; sold to Moir]; Alfred Moir, Santa Barbara, Calif. (1978/79-1997; gave 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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