Artwork

Youth Holding a Dish

Youth Holding a Dish, by Correggio, chalk
Youth Holding a Dish, by Correggio, chalk

Youth Holding a Dish is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Correggio. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Youth Holding a Dish is a red and black chalk drawing on laid paper, with touches of white, attributed to Antonio Allegri da Correggio, a prominent Italian Renaissance painter from the Parma school.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a serene young man holding a dish, set against a dark background, with his face illuminated in soft light, evoking a sense of gentle introspection.

Technique & Style

Correggio employed red and black chalk to achieve deep, expressive shadows, while subtle white accents enhance the subject's skin, demonstrating his skill in chiaroscuro and dynamic composition.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1650, although the exact date and early ownership history are not specified in the provided facts, highlighting a potential gap in the work's documented provenance.

Context

This work reflects the transitional influence of the High Renaissance, foreshadowing elements of Baroque and Rococo styles through its illusionistic perspective and dramatic foreshortening.

Legacy

While the drawing's direct impact is not detailed, Correggio's overall body of work, including pieces like this, contributed to the evolution of European painting techniques, notably in the use of chiaroscuro.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Correggio

Artist

Correggio

Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.