Head of a Young Girl and Studies of Hands and of her Right Foot

Art Historical Context

Charles de la Fosse, a prominent French Baroque artist active in the late 17th century, this delicate preparatory drawing, *Head of a Young Girl Studies of Hands and of Right Foot*. Likely dating to around his mature period, it captures intimate studies of a young girl's profile her expressive hands, and right foot on a single beige sheet. Such multi-figure sketches were essential tools for artists like de la Fosse, who under Charles Le Brun and contributed to grand Versailles decorations, honing anatomy and pose for larger history paintings. Rendered in black, red, and white chalk with subtl...