Bust-Length Portrait of a Woman (recto); Bust-Length Study of a Girl (verso)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite double-sided drawing by Agostino Carracci (1557–1602), one of the innovative Carracci brothers from Bologna, showcases the artist's mastery of portraiture during the late 16th. On the recto, a bust-length portrait of a woman her thoughtful expression and elegant features with remarkable sensitivity, the verso features a lively study of a girl, highlighting Carracci's skill in depicting youth and vitality. Created amid the transition from Mannerism to the emerging Baroque style, these works reflect the Carracci family's push for naturalism and emotional depth in Italian art. Executed primarily in red chalk—possibly over traces of black chalk on the recto—this medium was prized for its warm, fleshy tones ideal for modeling faces and drapery. At 13 11/16 x 9 13/16 inches, the sheet's intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing Carracci's fluid lines and subtle shading that bring his subjects to life. Such preparatory studies were vital in the Carracci workshop, influencing their grand frescoes and paintings. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1994 through the Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, this drawing offers a window into Renaissance drawing practices, celebrating the everyday grace of women and girls in an era when portraiture began emphasizing personality over idealization. A true gem for lovers of Old Master sketches!

About the Artist

Agostino Carracci · 1557–1602

Agostino left his profession as a tailor to become an artist. His earliest works were engravings, which was an extremely profitable practice and he was famed for having attained new heights of perfection. He was also a skilled painter and collaborated with his famous relations on various commisions. Comment on works: Religious; Portraits.