Allegorical Figure of Purity with a Unicorn and Putto (recto); Study of a Nude Boy (verso)

Art Historical Context

Created in 1642 by the Italian Baroque artist Baldassare Franceschini, known as il Volterrano, this-sided drawing exemplifies the preparatory sketches that fueled the grand frescoes and paintings of 17th-century Florence. the recto, an elegant allegorical figure of Purity stands gracefully with a unicorn— a mythical symbol of chastity and virtue rooted in Renaissance iconography—and a playful putto, evoking of innocence and divine protection. The verso features a lively study of a nude boy showcasing Volterrano's skill in capturing youthful anatomy with fluid, expressive lines. Executed in red chalk on beige paper, the medium lends a warm, luminous quality ideal for modeling forms and conveying soft flesh tones, a favored technique among Baroque draughtsmen influenced by the Carracci and Pietro da Cortona. Volterrano's dynamic style blends Florentine elegance with Roman monumentality, making these sheets valuable insights into his workshop practice. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1969, this work from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department invites visitors to appreciate the intimate artistry behind Baroque grandeur.