Thursday, April 14, 2016

Spanish and Italian Drawings at the Prado

Unknown Italian artist
Figure study
ca. 1600
Prado

In Master Drawings of the Italian Renaissance (Harvard University Press, 2007) Claire Van Cleave expresses wonder at the fact "that these fragile sheets have survived for 500 years, given that Renaissance drawings were seen as working tools and not as independent artworks with any commercial value, and that most were discarded or destroyed after use. As an extreme example, Michelangelo is said to have burned large numbers of his drawings because he did not want them to be seen by others. When drawings were saved it was because they were regarded as records of completed projects or models to use for future works."

Unknown Italian artist
Youth punting
early 17th century
Prado

Giuseppe Maria Figatelli
Mythological scene
17th century
Prado

Giuseppe-Maria Figatelli
Landscape with Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well
17th century
Prado

Alonso Cano
Figure study
ca. 1630-50
Prado

Alonso Cano
Figure study
ca. 1645-50
Prado

Antonio Tempesta
Groom with horses
early 17th century
Prado

Giacomo Cavedone
Sleeping youth
ca. 1618-28
Prado

Guglielmo Cortese
Diana seated
17th century
Prado

Carlo Bononi
Figure study
early 17th century
Prado

after Giovanni Lanfranco
Studies of herms
17th century
Prado

Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi
Landscape study
17th century
Prado

Juan Conchillos
Study of cherubs
ca. 1680
Prado

Pietro da Cortona
Death of Cleopatra
early 17th century
Prado

I am grateful for the beautiful reproductions made available by Museo del Prado.