Standing Putto Holding Tablet

Art Historical Context

In the Prints and Drawings department of the Art Institute of Chicago resides a delicate preparatory drawing, *Standing Putto Holding Tablet*, by the Italian Mannerist artist Lazzaro Tavarone (active late 16th–early 17th century in Lucca). Tavarone, known for his contributions to religious frescoes and architectural decorations in Tuscan churches, often employed cherubic putti—playful, winged child figures symbolizing innocence and divine joy—in his compositions. This undated sheet captures a single standing putto gracefully clutching a tablet, likely a study for a larger fresco or altarpiece, evoking the whimsical elegance of Mannerist ornamentation. Executed on modest ivory laid paper (21.1 × 15 cm), the work showcases Tavarone's masterful mixed-media technique: subtle black chalk underdrawing provides the foundational form, refined by precise pen lines in brown ink, then enriched with brush-applied brown wash for soft modeling and depth. Laid down on blue laid paper for preservation, it exemplifies the preparatory sketches valued by Renaissance and Baroque workshops, where such drawings bridged imagination and execution. This intimate piece highlights Mannerism's departure from High Renaissance ideals, favoring stylized grace and intricate detail over naturalism. For visitors, it offers a window into the artist's studio process, revealing how humble sketches birthed grand ecclesiastical visions in Italy's vibrant artistic milieu.