Artwork
Print from Drawing Book
Print from Drawing Book is an ink print by the Baroque artist Luca Ciamberlano. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Luca Ciamberlano’s work titled Print from Drawing Book is an early‑17th‑century engraving, dated around 1615. Executed in black ink on paper, the piece presents a single, tightly rendered portrait of a woman whose head is turned slightly away from the viewer. The composition is minimal, with the figure occupying most of the surface and the surrounding space left largely empty.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a female sitter, her hair gathered in soft curls and crowned with a modest flower. The pose, with the head inclined, suggests a moment of quiet contemplation or a fleeting glance. While no narrative context is supplied, the emphasis on facial features and adornment aligns with contemporary interests in idealized beauty and portraiture as a study of character.
Technique & Style
Ciamberlano employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to model the contours of the face and hair, creating a convincing sense of volume. The precise incisions produce delicate shadows that give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality despite the flat medium. The restrained background directs attention to the sitter, a common strategy in early Baroque prints to highlight the subject’s form.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1615, the engraving was likely part of a drawing book used for instructional or illustrative purposes, a format popular among artists and collectors of the period. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work survives in several European print collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of graphic art in the early modern era.
Artist & collection
