Michelangelo

Buonarroti, Michelangelo
Michelagnolo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
Florentine, 1475 - 1564

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This drawing is a sketch of a nude man standing. His upper body is turned slightly, with his head tilted downward and one foot raised. His facial features are not distinctly drawn, and he doesn't appear to have hair. His chest is lightly shaded with horizontal lines, and neither of his arms have hands. The background is plain beige paper.
Michelangelo, Male Nude [recto], c. 1560, black chalk on laid paper, The Armand Hammer Collection, 1991.217.3.a

Male Nude [recto]

Michelangelo · c. 1560 · black chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1991.217.3.a
This is a drawing of two abstract human figures. The figures are sketched with light strokes on textured paper. The figures stand close together, with an embrace or connected pose suggested by the composition. The outlines are faint and the details are minimal. The sketch conveys movement and intimacy through its lines and shading techniques.
Michelangelo, Male Nude [verso], c. 1560, black chalk on laid paper, The Armand Hammer Collection, 1991.217.3.b

Male Nude [verso]

Michelangelo · c. 1560 · black chalk on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1991.217.3.b
The image is a sketch of a head drawn in profile, showing only the features of the face and head without visible neck or shoulders. The person's head is tilted slightly upward, with the facial features delicately outlined, including a discernible nose, lips, and eye. The sketch suggests short, roughly sketched hair. The drawing conveys a bald or closely-shaven head, and the brow line is faintly suggested. There are no identifiable clothes or accessories apparent. The background is plain and possesses a textured appearance fitting with the overall aged and faded quality of the drawing. Written text is visible in both the top and bottom sections of the sketch.
Michelangelo, Head of a Man, c. 1530, red chalk with pen and black ink on laid paper, Anonymous Gift, 2006.47.1

Head of a Man

Michelangelo · c. 1530 · red chalk with pen and black ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2006.47.1
This artwork depicts two nude figures in a dynamic pose. The figures are drawn with fluid lines, emphasizing movement and form. The figure on the left is seen from the back, with the full body visible, while the other figure is partially obscured. The artwork is done in a sketchy style, using bold, dark strokes against a light, textured background. The paper has a worn, aged appearance, and the artwork is framed by a thin, golden border.
Michelangelo, Two Nudes Fighting, c. 1505, pen and brown ink on laid paper; laid down, Gift of William B. O'Neal, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.150.3

Two Nudes Fighting

Michelangelo · c. 1505 · pen and brown ink on laid paper; laid down ·  Accession ID  1991.150.3
The image shows a detailed drawing of two figures. The upper figure is depicted from the waist up, turned slightly to the side with their arm extended. They wear a headscarf and a draped garment, with defined facial features including strong brows and a calm expression. The lower figure is shown in less detail, focusing on the face and shoulders with a prominent nose and cheekbones, and covered hair, suggesting a beard. The drawing is set against a plain background.
Alphonse Legros, Study of Delphic Sibyl; Head of a Man, silverpoint on prepared paper, Gift of George Matthew Adams in memory of his mother, Lydia Havens Adams, 1946.4.2

Study of Delphic Sibyl; Head of a Man

Alphonse Legros · silverpoint on prepared paper ·  Accession ID  1946.4.2
The image shows a male figure in a dynamic pose. His left leg is bent, foot on a step, while his right leg is extended back. Both arms are raised above his head, hands open. The man has classical facial features, curly hair, and is nude with a cloth draped behind him. The background is plain.
Francesco Bartolozzi, Resurrection of Christ, 1795, crayon manner on wove paper, Gift of David H. McDonnell, 2018.20.4

Resurrection of Christ

Francesco Bartolozzi · 1795 · crayon manner on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2018.20.4
The image shows a person seated on a square pedestal, holding an open book up to their face with one hand. The person is sideways with one knee bent and the other leg dangling. Their head is covered with a cloth, and their facial features are obscured. The clothing is long and flowing, covering the body completely. Another figure is crouched nearby, partly obscured. In the background, there is an architectural feature with sculptures of two cherubic figures. The scene is depicted in a monochromatic tone with detailed line work for shading and textures.
John Skippe, A Sibyl Reading, 1780s, chiaroscuro woodcut printed from 2 blocks: brown line block and gray-brown tone block on laid paper; laid down on album page, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1996.9.5

A Sibyl Reading

John Skippe · 1780s · chiaroscuro woodcut printed from 2 blocks: brown line block and gray-brown tone block on laid paper; laid down on album page ·  Accession ID  1996.9.5
This is a drawing of a sculpture. It features a seated figure holding another figure. The scene includes a backdrop of a large cross with a crown symbol at its apex. The figures show intricate cross-hatching and shading to emphasize drapery folds and contours. The lines are detailed, creating a contrast between light and shadow. The figures rest upon a plinth with engraved text.
Jacques Callot, Pietà, 1608/1611, engraving on laid paper, R.L. Baumfeld Collection, 1969.15.256

Pietà

Jacques Callot · 1608/1611 · engraving on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1969.15.256
This is a drawing featuring multiple figures, some nude, spread across various levels of clouds and earth. A glowing figure with a radiant halo is central to the image, with a ladder leading upwards towards them. The surrounding figures are depicted in dynamic poses, suggesting tension, struggle, or exaltation. The scene is divided into a heavenly upper section with clouds and a chaotic lower section. The detailed line work and composition highlight the fantastical nature of the drawing, invoking themes of morality, divine intervention, or cosmic events.
Léonard Gaultier, The Last Judgement, c. 1600, engraving on laid paper, laid down, Gift in Memory of Robert L. Shalkop, Curator and Museum Director, 2019.185.1

The Last Judgement

Léonard Gaultier · c. 1600 · engraving on laid paper, laid down ·  Accession ID  2019.185.1
This image shows a bearded man standing in a contrapposto position with most of his body weight on one foot. He is turned slightly to his left, displaying his muscular physique. The man has short, wavy hair and a thoughtful expression on his face. He is unclothed, except for a piece of cloth or drapery covering his modesty that hangs from his right arm and around his waist. The man is surrounded by an ornate oval frame decorated with scrolls and cherubs. The cherubs on either side hold scrolls and fabric that embellish the frame. A banner at the top reads "NVDA VERITAS," and there are additional floral, scroll motifs, and a lion-like face at the bottom of the frame. The background features a cross-hatched pattern.
Cherubino Alberti, Saint John the Baptist, 1591, etching, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1972.65.5

Saint John the Baptist

Cherubino Alberti · 1591 · etching ·  Accession ID  1972.65.5

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