Who painted Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman?

Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman was painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio in 1470.

Where can I see Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman?

Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman?

Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman

Domenico Ghirlandaio , 1470

Copy of a Roman Statue of a Seated Woman is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Domenico Ghirlandaio. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This pen‑and‑ink drawing records a study of a Roman marble figure of a seated woman, rendered as a draped form on paper that shows signs of age, including tears and stains. The artist captures the figure’s crossed legs and a bundle held on the lap, emphasizing the heavy, flowing robe through quick, overlapping strokes.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a classical female statue, reinterpreted through the artist’s focus on the realistic behavior of fabric. By emphasizing the folds and the way the garment gathers around the body, the drawing serves as a visual exercise in translating three‑dimensional sculpture into two‑dimensional line.

Technique & Style

Executed with densely crossed hatching within tight outlines, the work reflects the drawing methods taught in late‑15th‑century Florentine workshops. The approach, known as Ghirlandaio’s “system,” employed parallel and intersecting lines to suggest tone and volume, a practice that apprentices—including Michelangelo—learned while copying ancient models.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from a workshop environment where young artists copied classical statues to master the depiction of drapery. Its paper, now weathered, suggests it was produced in the late 1400s, likely within the circle of Domenico Ghirlandaio’s studio in Florence, though the specific hand remains unidentified.

Context

During the Renaissance, the revival of antiquity prompted artists to study Roman sculpture intensively. Sketches such as this were integral to the educational curriculum, allowing apprentices to internalize classical forms and integrate them into contemporary visual language.

Artist & collection

Artist

Domenico Ghirlandaio

Domenico di Tommaso Curradi di Doffo Bigordi (2 June 1448 – 11 January 1494), professionally known as Domenico Ghirlandaio (also spelt as Ghirlandajo), was an Italian Renaissance painter born in Florence.