Who painted Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso]?

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso] was painted by Francesco Fontebasso in 1739.

Where can I see Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso]?

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso]?

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso] is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso]

Francesco Fontebasso , 1739

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso] is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Francesco Fontebasso. It dates from 1739 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1739, this drawing by Venetian artist Francesco Fontebasso pairs a loosely rendered female head with three separate studies of a male nude.

Created in 1739, this drawing by Venetian artist Francesco Fontebasso pairs a loosely rendered female head with three separate studies of a male nude. Executed with pen, brown ink and black chalk on laid paper, the sheet presents rapid, gestural lines that capture varied poses and muscular tension. The work exemplifies the artist’s routine practice of figure studies, serving as preparatory material for larger compositions.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a small, sketchy portrait of a woman’s head against three male figures captured in different actions—a stride, a lean, and a stance with hands on hips. The contrast highlights the artist’s interest in exploring both facial expression and full‑body anatomy, suggesting a pedagogical exercise in rendering movement, proportion, and the interplay of gendered forms.

Technique & Style

Fontebasso employed a combination of pen, brown ink and black chalk, allowing for both precise line work and subtle shading. The laid paper’s texture contributes to the drawing’s tactile quality, while the faint, quickly laid strokes convey immediacy typical of late‑Baroque drawing practices. The use of varied line weight suggests an emphasis on volume and dynamism within a relatively informal study.

History & Provenance

Trained under Sebastiano Ricci and influenced by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Fontebasso worked primarily in Venice before receiving commissions in Saint Petersburg. This drawing reflects his routine figure‑drawing exercises that informed his larger decorative projects, such as ceiling frescoes and chapel interiors. The piece remains a testament to his Venetian workshop methods during the late Baroque to Rococo transition.