Description
Both Baccio Bandinelli and Michelangelo made figure drawing the foundation of their artistic and inventive processes. In this drawing, Bandinelli reimagined one of Michelangelo’s ignudi, the athletic male nudes that decorate the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Probably drawing from a live model, Bandinelli combined controlled, defined lines and smudges to create a massively muscled form, that, like Michelangelo’s figures, refers to ancient sculpture as well as to knowledge of anatomy. His use of red chalk—Michelangelo’s preferred medium for sketching the ignudi—suggests that he sought to compare his own prowess in the medium to that of the better-known master.
Provenance
Sotheby's, New York, 1 December 1964, lot 170 (as Rosso Fiorentino) (1964); with Hans Calmann, London, and W. H. Schab, New York; Christie's, London, 8 December 1987, lot 72 (1987); Private Collection, New York; Sotheby's, New York, 28 January 1998, lot 69 (bought in) (1998); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1998)
Accession Number
1998.6
Medium
red chalk
Dimensions
Sheet: 40 x 23.7 cm (15 3/4 x 9 5/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund