Man Lying Down, Arm Over Head
17th century
Medium
Red chalk, with black chalk, on blue laid paper, laid down on grayish-tan wove paper
Dimensions
16.1 × 30.6 cm (6 3/8 × 12 1/16 in.)
Classification
chalk
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
85818
Art Historical Context
This intimate 17th-century drawing *Man Lying Down, Arm Over Head*, captures a relaxed male figure in a moment of repose, with one arm draped casually over his head. Created by an unknown artist using red chalk accented with black chalk on blue laid paper, the work measures a modest 16.1 × 30.6 cm, suggesting it was likely a preparatory study or sketch from life. The blue paper, a popular choice in the Baroque era provides a cool backdrop that enhances the warm, fleshy tones of the red chalk, while black chalk deepens shadows for dramatic contrast. Red chalk was a favored medium among 17th-ce...