Apollo and Studies of the Artist's Own Hand [recto]

1730/1732

Francesco Fontebasso

Associated Names
Francesco Fontebasso

Artist, Venetian, 1709 - 1769

The image shows a sketch of a nude male figure on the left, posed in a contrapposto stance. The figure has detailed muscular structure, one arm extended and the other holding a draped cloth. A face with short, curly hair is slightly turned. On the right, there are sketches of hands in different positions and angles, as well as a small sketch of a face with curly hair. The background is textured sketch paper with ink and pencil markings.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink, black chalk, on tan oatmeal paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William N. Cafritz

  • Dimensions

    overall: 45.2 × 57.2 cm (17 13/16 × 22 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1990.33.1.a

Associated Artworks

The image displays a series of sketches portraying the human form. Multiple figures are depicted in different poses, showcasing various body parts. One figure is leaning with crossed arms and a twist in the torso, emphasizing muscle definition. Another figure is shown in a side view with arms crossed and the back visible. Additionally, there are outlines of legs, heads, and a side-facing head. One facial sketch in the bottom left corner features detailed hair curls indicating a styled look. The sketches have a linear style with bold lines and hatching to highlight body contours and muscles. The background is plain paper, showing natural texture, folds, and marks, giving the appearance of aged or well-used paper.

Head of a Woman and Studies of a Male Nude [verso]

Francesco Fontebasso

1709

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(P. & D. Colnaghi & Co. Gallery, London, 1978); (Galerie Arnoldi-Livie, Munich); (Paul Prouté, Paris); acquired 1990 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1994

  • The Glory of Venice: Art in the Eighteenth Century, Royal Academy of Arts, London, and National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, 272, 273, 451, no. 176 (repro. p. 272, color)(entry by Margherita Giacometti), as Apollo, Studies of Hands, and a Male Head (recto).

2014

  • The Poetry of Light - La poesia della luce: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art, Museo Correr, Venice, Venice, 2014 - 2015, no. 78.

Bibliography

1990

  • Proute, Paul. DESSINS ESTAMPES (Catalogue "Gericault"), Paris: 1990, 14.

  • Magrini, Marina. "Francesco Fontebasso-I disegni," Saggi e Memorie di Storia dell'Arte 17, 1990: 197, 358.

1994

  • The Glory of Venice. Exh. cat. Royal Academy of Arts, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington; Museo del Settecento Veneziano - Ca'Rezzonico, Venice; Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, 1994-1995: 272-273, 451, no. 176.

Wikidata ID

Q64562371

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