Virgin and Child with Saints (recto); Study of Arm (verso)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite double-sided drawing by Bartolomeo Ramen the elder (known as Bagnacavallo dated around 1560–80, captures the Renaissance tradition of devotional art on its recto with a tender *Virgin and Child with Saints Rendered in pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash, with lead white (now partially oxidized for a subtle shimmer), the composition on tan laid paper exemplifies the meticulous preparatory sketches favored by Italian artists of the period. Squared in red chalk, it was likely a *modello*—a detailed study scaled up for a larger painting or fresco—highlighting the methodical transfer techniques of 16th-century workshops. On the verso, a black chalk study of an arm reveals Ramenghi's focus on anatomical precision, a hallmark of High Renaissance and early Mannerist draftsmen influenced by masters like Raphael, whom he emulated in Bologna. The modest dimensions (25.2 × 29.2 cm) belie its significance: such sheets were prized for training apprentices and refining compositions before committing to canvas or panel. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work offers a window into the creative process of a Bolognese artist whose style bridged classicism and emerging Mannerism, blending piety with virtuoso technique for patrons seeking spiritual icons.