Agostino Carracci

Bolognese, 1557 - 1602

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The image shows a full-body sketch of a seated male figure. The man is angled with his body facing slightly to the left, left arm extended outward, pointing with one finger. His right arm is bent, resting on his knee. The figure has a full beard and long, wavy hair flowing past his shoulders. His facial features are detailed yet not fully defined. The man is clothed in flowing garments that partially cover his muscular form, leaving his legs exposed. He is seated on an implied chair or throne, indicated by lines and shading behind him. There is no visible jewelry or objects. The background is plain with no additional elements.
Agostino Carracci, Seated Male Nude [recto], 1600/1602, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Julius S. Held Collection, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1983.74.7.a

Seated Male Nude [recto]

Agostino Carracci · 1600/1602 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1983.74.7.a
This is a drawing of a scene with mythological figures in a pastoral landscape. The drawing shows a satyr and a cherubic figure with wings engaging playfully, while two reclining figures observe from a short distance. The satyr kneels on the ground as the cherub pulls his ear. Nearby, two figures rest together, watching the scene. The figures are detailed, and trees frame the composition. In the background, there is a hilly terrain under a cloudy sky. Cross-hatching is used throughout the drawing for texture.
Agostino Carracci, Pan Taming Eros, 1599, engraving, Andrew W. Mellon Fund, 1975.66.1

Pan Taming Eros

Agostino Carracci · 1599 · engraving ·  Accession ID  1975.66.1
The image shows a man's upper body. He is turned slightly to the right, with intense eye contact towards the viewer. The man has deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, a neatly groomed beard and mustache, and wavy hair styled upwards. He is wearing a collared shirt with a detailed cross-hatched vest. In his hands, he holds a theatrical mask, which has serene facial features. The background consists of tightly spaced horizontal lines.
Agostino Carracci, Giovanni Gabrielli, c. 1599, engraving on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 2008.25.1

Giovanni Gabrielli

Agostino Carracci · c. 1599 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2008.25.1
The image depicts an elderly man seated on the ground, holding a staff. He is mostly in profile, looking towards the upper right. He has muscular features, a prominent nose, deep-set eyes, a long beard, and short curly hair. He wears a loose garment, leaving much of his upper body exposed. A lion is nearby on some rocks, and the man is surrounded by a rocky landscape. A straw hat and a tree branch are beside him. The background is intricately detailed with hatching and shading.
Agostino Carracci, Francesco Brizio, Saint Jerome, c. 1602, engraving on laid paper, Gift of David H. McDonnell, 2016.131.1

Saint Jerome

Agostino Carracci, Francesco Brizio · c. 1602 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2016.131.1
The image depicts three figures in a seated position. There is a woman holding a child on her lap, and an older man sitting behind them. The woman is turned slightly towards the child, lifting a piece of drapery with one hand while supporting the child with the other. She has styled, wavy hair and is dressed in flowing robes. The child appears to be a baby with curly hair. The older man has a long beard and is looking towards the child with an intent expression. The background is plain with subtle rocky surface details, and there is a halo-like circle around the woman's head. The number "1597" is inscribed in the bottom left corner of the image.
Agostino Carracci, The Holy Family, 1597, engraving on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 2016.168.4

The Holy Family

Agostino Carracci · 1597 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2016.168.4
The image shows a sketch of a man's face in a circular frame. The man's head fills most of the composition. His head is slightly tilted to the left. He has distinct facial features including deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, a full beard and mustache, and curly hair. The circular frame is decorated with leafy vines and grapes. The sketch is in brown ink on aged paper with visible marks and stains. There is no background in the image.
Agostino Carracci, Head of a Faun in a Concave Roundel, probably c. 1595, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1972.49.2

Head of a Faun in a Concave Roundel

Agostino Carracci · probably c. 1595 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1972.49.2
The image depicts a man sitting against a tree, his eyes closed. He has short, curly hair and a beard, wearing a loose garment. He holds a crucifix and beads. Next to him is a human skull on a cloth, a basket, and a dish. Above him, an angel holds a sword, with billowing hair and wings. The background shows a rugged landscape with rocky outcrops and winding rivers or paths, under a cloudy sky.
Agostino Carracci, Saint Francis Consoled by the Musical Angel, 1595, engraving, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1974.55.2

Saint Francis Consoled by the Musical Angel

Agostino Carracci · 1595 · engraving ·  Accession ID  1974.55.2
This drawing depicts a central figure riding atop a sea monster. The central figure is accompanied by smaller winged figures hovering around and clinging to the larger figure. The central figure is holding a billowing fabric. The background consists of stylized clouds. The rendering is monochrome, using detailed linework and hatching to create depth and texture.
Agostino Carracci, Venus or Galatea Supported by Dolphins, c. 1590/1595, engraving, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1972.65.15

Venus or Galatea Supported by Dolphins

Agostino Carracci · c. 1590/1595 · engraving ·  Accession ID  1972.65.15
The image depicts a serene landscape with a small boat on the water. The viewpoint is at eye level, providing a balanced view of the environment. The horizon is subtly suggested above the central area, where water and vegetation recede into the distance. The drawing style features delicate lines creating textures for foliage and water ripples, typical of pen and ink work. The color palette is mainly warm sepia tones, giving an aged appearance. Trees and shrubs in the foreground are intricately detailed, with a small boat carrying figures on the water. In the background, more vegetation is subtly drawn, suggesting depth and continuity of the landscape.
Agostino Carracci, Woodland River with a Boat, c. 1590, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Gift of Robert H. and Clarice Smith, 1978.70.1

Woodland River with a Boat

Agostino Carracci · c. 1590 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1978.70.1
The image shows an intricate decorative design with several medallion-like illustrations, acanthus leaves, a sculpted portrait of a woman's face, shell-like ornamentation, foliage designs, a pastoral landscape, a body of water, framing elements, classical figures, and ornate borders. The composition is highly detailed with rich textures, blending nature, human portraiture, and ornamental scrollwork in a Baroque style.
Agostino Carracci, A Headpiece in the Form of a Fan, c. 1589/1595, engraving, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1975.1.3

A Headpiece in the Form of a Fan

Agostino Carracci · c. 1589/1595 · engraving ·  Accession ID  1975.1.3