Unknown Artist, Italy, 17th century
, Italian
Title
A Pair of HandsDate17th century
MediumRed chalk on paper
Dimensions
8.7 x 12 cm
Credit LineProvenance unknown
Object numberNGI.6645
DescriptionThis anonymous drawing represents a long tradition in artistic training. Students studied human anatomy by copying details from drawings by other masters, antique sculpture and the live model. While a study such as this could be incorporated into a painting, it could also act as an end in itself. This small scale drawing reflects the artist's interest in mastering expressive elements of a figure and is almost certainly made from life: the rapid execution and frank depiction of the pair of hands suggest a subject captured in a moment.