Half-Length Recumbent Male Nude Seen from the Back
c. 1590
Medium
Charcoal, with stumping, touches of oil paint, and traces of lead white (discolored), on tan laid paper
Dimensions
35.5 × 23.2 cm (14 × 9 3/16 in.)
Classification
chalk
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
69117
Art Historical Context
In the late 16th century, Bologna emerged as a vibrant hub for artistic reform, led by the Carracci family, whose emphasis on naturalism and classical ideals influenced a new generation of painters. Pietro Faccini (c. 1575–1602), a promising Bolognese draughtsman and painter trained in their workshop, created *Half-Length Recumbent Male Nude Seen from the Back* around 1590. This intimate study captures a muscular male figure reclining in profile from behind, showcasing Faccini's skill in rendering human anatomy with lifelike volume and poise. Executed on tan laid paper, the drawing employs ch...