Artwork

Historical Scene [recto]

Historical Scene [recto], by Angelo Marullo, chalk, 1670
Historical Scene [recto], by Angelo Marullo, chalk, 1670

Historical Scene [recto] is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Angelo Marullo. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Historical Scene (recto) is a drawing executed by the Italian artist Angelo Marullo in 1670. Rendered on laid paper, the work combines pen work with brown ink and a brown wash applied over black chalk, creating a layered monochromatic effect typical of the period’s preparatory studies.

Technique & Style

Marullo employed a combination of drawing media: fine pen lines in brown ink establish the composition, while a brown wash adds tonal depth. The underlying black chalk provides initial modeling, allowing the artist to manipulate light and shadow through successive layers, a method common among 17th‑century draughtsmen seeking atmospheric nuance.

History & Provenance

The drawing is attributed to Marullo and dated to the year 1670, situating it within his early career. Its provenance traces to private collections before entering the current holding, though specific ownership records prior to acquisition are not documented in the available sources.

Artist & collection

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