Allegorical Figure of Religion (recto); Study of a Griffon and of a Seated Figure (verso)

Art Historical Context

Cherubino Alberti (3–1615), an Italian artist active during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods, created this versatile sheet of studies using red chalk accented with black chalk. Measuring just 7-13/16 x 5-1/8 inches, it the intimate, preparatory nature of Renaissance drawings, often collected for their spontaneity and skill. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, this work was acquired through the Harry G. Sperling in 1980. On the recto, Alberti depicts an *Allegorical Figure of Religion a graceful female form tagged simply as "Women," embodying the era's emphasis on emblematic virtues amid the Counter-Reformation's push for spiritual imagery. Red chalk's warm, fleshy tones lend a lifelike softness, ideal for modeling drapery and anatomy. Flipping to the verso reveals a dynamic *Study of a Griffon and of a Seated Figure*—the mythical griffon, half-eagle and half-lion, hints at decorative or fantastical motifs popular in Mannerist art, while the seated pose suggests anatomical exploration. These dual-sided studies highlight Alberti's dexterity as a draftsman, bridging religious symbolism with imaginative sketches, offering visitors a window into the creative process of 16th-century Italian workshops.

About the Artist

Cherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia) · 1553–1615

Cherubino Alberti (1553–1615), also known by his birth name Zaccaria Mattia, was an Italian engraver and painter active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in Borgo San Sepolcro in Tuscany, he came from an artistically inclined family and received training that equipped him for work in both painting and the reproductive graphic arts. It was as a printmaker, however,...