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 Print from Drawing Book is an early‑17th‑century engraving, dated around 1615. Executed in black and white, the work presents a solitary male figure in profile, rendered with meticulous attention to hair and beard. The composition is confined to the head and shoulders, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures a man with tightly curled hair and a long, textured beard, wearing a loosely draped collar. By isolating the profile, the image invites contemplation of the individual’s character, a common approach in the period that sought to convey personality through facial expression and grooming.
Technique & Style
Ciamberlano employed fine, incised lines on a metal plate, a hallmark of engraving. The sharp, parallel strokes delineate the folds of hair and the density of the beard, creating a subtle sense of volume. The contrast between dark lines and the white paper background enhances the three‑dimensional illusion of the portrait.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1615, the print likely originated from a drawing book used by artists for study and replication. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work reflects the broader practice of disseminating portrait studies through printed media in early Baroque Italy.
Artist & collection
