Studies for Judith and Holofernes, David and Goliath, The Finding of Moses, and Others [recto]

c. 1582

Veronese

Associated Names
Veronese

Artist, Venetian, 1528 - 1588

This is a drawing of various figures and scenes sketched in brown ink on paper. The drawing displays a collection of human figures in various poses, composed in a manner that appears to be somewhat chaotic and spontaneous. The style is reminiscent of preparatory sketches, with loose and flowing lines capturing the dynamic postures of the figures. In the upper section, some figures appear to be reclining or gathered, possibly engaged in an interaction or conversation, while others seem to be caught in motion. Scattered around the page are additional figures that appear to be standing or walking, identified with suggestions of cloaked garments. There are also hints of architectural forms and possibly natural elements, like hills or rocks implied by the curves and shading. The presence of handwritten notations or text fragments adds to the chaotic and detailed nature of the work. The overlapping sections and partial renderings of figures give the drawing an unfinished, exploratory quality, typical of sketches meant to capture a burst of ideas.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    a) pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper b) pen and brown ink and wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    The Armand Hammer Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 29.8 × 19.6 cm (11 3/4 × 7 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1987.24.4.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows several sketches and handwritten notes on a paper. The sketches feature human figures in different poses and activities. The handwritten notes, possibly in Italian, accompany the illustrations in cursive handwriting. The figures are rough and incomplete, typical of artistic studies or drafts.

Studies for the Raising of Lazarus and Other Compositions [verso]

Veronese

1582

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Zaccaria Sagredo [1653-1729], Venice; Emile Wauters [1846-1933] (Lugt 911), Paris; (sale, Frederick Müller, Amsterdam, 15-16 June 1926, no. 32); Robert von Hirsch [1883-1977], Frankfurt and Basel; (sale, Sotheby's, London, 20 June 1978, no. 30); John R. Gaines [1928-2005], Lexington, KY; (Sale, Sotheby's, New York, 17 November 1986, no. 11); purchased by Armand Hammer for the National Gallery of Art, 1986.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1925

  • Dessins AnciensCollection de M.-EW, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller &Cie, 1926, Juin 15-16, 7, no. 32

1978

  • The Robert von Hirsch Collection: Volume I, Old Master Drawings, Paintings, and Medieval Minatures, Sotheby Parke Bernet, London, June 20, 1978, no. 30

1986

  • The John R. Gaines Collection, Soethby's, New York, Nov. 17, 1986, no. 11

1987

  • Master Drawings from the Armand Hammer Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1987, 88-90, no. 9.

1988

  • The Art of Paolo Veronese 1528-1588, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1988-1989, no. 75.

2006

  • The Poetry of Light: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2006, unnumbered brochure.

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014-2015, no. 29.

2018

  • Drawing in Tintoretto's Venice, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2018 - 2019, no. 13 (fig. 20), repro.

2025

  • Paolo Veronese (1528-1588), Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 2025, cat. 82, repro.

  • Paolo Veronese (1528-1588), Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 2025, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1913

  • Lees, Frederic. The Art of the Great Masters as exemplified by Drawigns in the Collection of Emile Wauters. London, 1913: 51, figs. 66-67.

1921

  • Borenius, Tancred. "A Group of Drawings by Paul Veronese," The Burlington Magazine (February 1921): 54.

1926

  • Von Hadeln, Detlev Freiherr. Venezianische Zeichnungen der Spätrenaissance. Berlin, 1926: 27.

1927

  • Osmond, Percy H. Paolo Veronese: His Career and Work. London, 1927: 100.

1928

  • Fiocco, Giuseppe. Paolo Veronese, 1528-1588. Bologna, 1928: 194, 210.

1934

  • Fiocco, Giuseppe. Paolo Veronese. Rome, 1934: 131.

1944

  • Tietze, Hans, and Erika Tietze-Conrat. The Drawings of the Venetian Painters in the 15th and 16th Centuries. New York, 1944: 336, 339, no. 2028, pls. CLII, CLIII.

1973

  • Cocke, Richard. "Observations on Some Drawings by Paolo Veronese," Master Drawings (Summer 1973): 141-143, pl. 9.

1976

  • Pignatti, Terisio. Veronese. 2 vols. Venice, 1976: 1:164, 174, 189; 2:fig. 754.

1983

  • Shearman, John. The Early Italian Pictures in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen. Cambridge, 1983: 288-289, no. 316.

1984

  • Cocke, Richard. Veronese's Drawings: A Catalogue Raisonné. London, 1984: 22, 25, no. 99, 99v.

1985

  • Byam Shaw, James. "Review of Richard Cocke, Veronese's Drawings." The Burlington Magazine (May 1985): 309.

  • Coutts, Howard. "Veronese's Paintings for Carlo Emanele I of Savoy" The Burlington Magazine (May 1985): 301, 302, fig. 52.

1986

  • Crosato, Luciana Larcher. "I disegni di Paolo Veronese," Arte Veneta (1986): 255.

1987

  • Master Drawings from the Armand Hammer Collection. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1987: 88-90.

1988

  • The Art of Paolo Veronese. Exh. cat. National Gallery Art, Washington, 1988: 145-147.

1996

  • Artemieva, Irina. "Una 'Resurrezione de Lazzaro' di Paolo Veronese," Arte Veneta vol. 48, no. 1 (1996): 20-24, figs. 2 (recto), 3-4 (verso).

2001

  • Rearick, William R. Il disegno veneziano del Cinquecento. Milan, 2001: 168-169, fig. 84 (recto).

2018

  • Marciari, John.Drawing in Tintoretto's Venice. Exh. cat. Morgan Library & Museum, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2018-2019: 42, no. 13 (fig. 20).

2025

  • Dal Pozzolo, Enrico Maria, and Falomir Faus, Miguel, editors. Paolo Veronese, 1528-1588. Exh. cat. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, 2025: 374, cat. 82, repro.

Inscriptions

recto: inscribed at upper left in pen and brown ink in the hand of Marcantonio Gandini: Al molto Mag[nifi]co S[igno]r Paulo/Caliari Veronese comp[ar]e et/S[igno]r/mio col[endissi]mo/Venezia/con un rotolo di br[accia] 12 1/2 Ratta gottonata nera/A S. Samuel presso la fabrica/nova da ca mozenigo; in another hand at upper center, upside down: P:no:44; at upper right in pen and brown ink: una Giudite ch[e] talia la testa Aholofe; upper center in pen and brown ink: Per[?] un prespio; center right in pen and brown ink: Nano;c L //in pen and brown ink at left (to the left of a standing female figure): per Lazzaro [?]; verso:inscribed at top in the hand of Marcantonio Gandini: Mag[nifi]co S[igno]r Comp[ar]e/Mando a V[ostra] S[ignoria] li br[accia] 12 1/2 rassa, la/quale credo piacerà à cui/deve adoperarla; se in altro posso servirla ella mi comandi/et di core la saluto. Di trivigi a 18 7[em]bre 1582. D[i] V[ostra] S[ignoria]/Comp[are] aff[etuossissi]mo/+3/REMI Marc Ant[oni]o Gandino/pro 50 stampa a la sua spesa 100 folli che/sarano Carte 50. In another hand at lower left in brown ink: Paolo Veronese

Markings

recto: Emile Wauters (Lugt 911)

Wikidata ID

Q64633612

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