Artwork

a) Study of a Man Kneeling, Looking Upward (recto); b) Studies of the Same Figure (verso)

a) Study of a Man Kneeling, Looking Upward (recto); b) Studies of the Same Figure (verso) is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Francesco Fontebasso. It dates from 1733 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This double-sided drawing by Francesco Fontebasso features a kneeling male figure in various poses, executed in pen and brown ink on laid paper around 1733. The recto and verso sides showcase the artist's exploration of a single figure in dynamic stances.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a muscular man kneeling with his arms raised, head tilted back, and body twisted. The figure's pose conveys a sense of strain and tension, suggesting a study of human anatomy and movement.

Technique & Style

Fontebasso employed rapid, expressive ink strokes to capture the figure's form, emphasizing musculature and drapery. The loose, gestural lines convey a sense of energy and movement, characteristic of the artist's sketching style.

History & Provenance

Trained under Sebastiano Ricci and influenced by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Fontebasso later worked on large-scale projects. This drawing is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.