Study for Cosimo I Reorganizing the Tuscan Troops

Art Historical Context

This dynamic preparatory drawing by Ludovico Buti captures a pivotal moment in Florentine history. Created in 1589, it serves as a study for a larger composition depicting Cosimo I de’ Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, reorganizing his military forces. The scene reflects the duke’s efforts to centralize power and strengthen Tuscan defenses during the late Renaissance, a period when Florence sought to project authority amid shifting Italian politics. Buti’s technique showcases the refined draftsmanship prized in late-sixteenth-century Florence. Using pen and brown ink with fluid brown washes and touches of lead white, the artist models figures and armor with dramatic light and shadow, creating a sense of movement and depth on the tan paper. Such heightened studies allowed painters to work out complex groupings and gestures before transferring them to fresco or panel. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, this sheet offers visitors a rare glimpse into the creative process behind grand historical narratives. Its vertical format and careful attention to military detail underscore both the practical demands of ducal patronage and the artistic ambition of the Medici court.