Saint Lucy and a Saint (recto); Alexander the Great in Profile (verso)

Art Historical Context

In the early 16th century,entine artist Agnolo delziere (also known Agnolo di Donn) created this exquisite double-sided drawing, dated around 1500–1512. On the recto, delicate pen and brown ink lines over graphite depict Saint Lucy, the patron saint of eyesight, alongside another saint, their serene expressions and flowing drapery evoking the devotional art of Renaissance Italy. Flipping to the verso reveals Alexander the Great in profile, rendered in brush and brown ink with wash over graphite—a classical hero whose image bridged antiquity and contemporary humanism. Crafted on cream laid paper prepared with a salmon wash, a technique that provided a warm, tinted ground for enhanced modeling and depth, this work exemplifies the preparatory mastery of Italian draftsmen. The graphite underdrawings allowed precise planning, while the fluid ink and subtle washes on the verso add volume and drama, showcasing Agnolo's skill in mixed media. Such drawings were prized in workshops for study, transfer to panels, or as collector's items. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this 23.4 × 27.9 cm sheet highlights the Renaissance fusion of sacred and secular themes, reflecting Florence's vibrant artistic culture where saints and ancient rulers inspired moral and heroic ideals. A testament to technical innovation, it invites visitors to appreciate the intimacy of ink on paper.