Autonomy of Expression
When not tethered to the preparatory process for altarpieces or palatial decorations, Italian artists made drawings as a distraction, often taking inspiration from literary or historical sources. Increasingly, the worlds of nature and everyday life became the focus of the artist’s imagination, as highlighted in Guercino’s remarkable caricatures. The growing status of drawing as an autonomous and collectible work of art is evident in several examples, including the highly finished pair of devotional images by Bartolomeo Passarotti, made as a gift or on commission.
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Bespectacled Man Reading a Book
Bespectacled Man Reading a Book, 1630s–40s -
Scowling Elderly Man with Full Beard
Scowling Elderly Man with Full Beard, 1630s–40s -
Boy in a Large Hat
Boy in a Large Hat, 1630s–40s -
Unshaven Monk
Unshaven Monk, 1630s–40s -
Portrait of a Woman (Beatrice Hastings?) in a Cloche Hat
Portrait of a Woman (Beatrice Hastings?) in a Cloche Hat, ca. 1915 -
Apelles Painting Campaspe in the Presence of Alexander the Great
Apelles Painting Campaspe in the Presence of Alexander the Great, 1785–90 -
Christ Wearing the Crown of Thorns, with a Medallion of the Trinity
Christ Wearing the Crown of Thorns, with a Medallion of the Trinity, 1576–80 -
Head of a Young Woman with Lips Parted
Head of a Young Woman with Lips Parted, -
Ceres Driving a Chariot Pulled by Dragons
Ceres Driving a Chariot Pulled by Dragons, late 1550s -
Centaur and Satyr Couple at Play
Centaur and Satyr Couple at Play, 1760s? -
The Doctor's Visit
The Doctor's Visit, ca. 1791 -
Caricature of a Man in Slippers and Wig Seen from the Rear
Caricature of a Man in Slippers and Wig Seen from the Rear, 1740s or later (?)