Nine Studies of the Moses in Santa Maria della Steccata, Parma (recto); Nine Studies for the Eve in Santa Maria della Steccata, Parma (verso)
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola), 1503–40
About this artwork
Step into the intricate world of Renaissance draftsmanship with this exquisite double-sided sheet by Parmigianino (Giamo Francesco Maria Mazzola 1503–1540), a master of Mannerism known for his graceful, elongated and poetic elegance. Titled *Nine Studies of the Moses Santa Maria della Stecc, Parma (recto); Nine Studies for the Eve Santa Maria della Stecc, Parma (verso)*, this small yet dynamic drawing (8 /16 x 6 in captures the artist's preparatory for fresco figures in Parma's Santa Maria della Steccata church, a project he began around 1531 but left unfinished due to disputes. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash over faint black chalk traces on beige paper, the recto features fluid, overlapping sketches of Moses—probing poses that reveal Parmigianino's quest for ideal proportions and expressive anatomy. Flipping to the verso, nine variations of Eve showcase his innovative use of wash to model form and suggest volume, blending precision with fluidity. These studies highlight Mannerism's departure from High Renaissance harmony, emphasizing stylish distortion and emotional intensity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Pfeiffer Fund, 1962), this gem offers a rare glimpse into an artist's iterative process, bridging personal invention with sacred narrative—Moses and Eve as archetypal figures of law and temptation. A testament to Parmigianino's prodigious talent, it invites visitors to appreciate the hidden labors behind grand frescoes.