Man of Sorrows, after Guido Reni (recto); Studies of arm and hands (verso)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 17th-century drawing housed in the Metropolitan Museum of's Department of Drawings and Prints, the poignant "Man of Sorrows on its recto—a devotional image of Christ in suffering, inspired by the Baroque master Guido Reni. Created by anonymous Italian artist from the Roman-Bolognese, it exemplifies the era's reverence for Reni's graceful, emotive style, blending classical elegance with intense religious fervor. The subject's sorrowful expression and subtle highlights evoke deep empathy, a hallmark of Counter-Reformation art meant to inspire spiritual contemplation. Executed in black chalk heightened with white on light brown paper, the recto showcases masterful chiaroscuro techniques that model Christ's form with dramatic light and shadow, while the rounded corners suggest it was once bound in a sketchbook. Flipping to the verso reveals practical studies of an arm and hands in black and red chalk, highlighting the artist's focus on anatomy—essential for rendering lifelike religious figures. Such dual-sided sheets were common in artists' workshops, serving as both devotional aids and training tools. A gift to the Met in 1887 from Cephas G. Thompson, this work offers a window into 17th-century Italian draftsmanship, where copying masters like Reni honed skills amid Bologna's vibrant artistic circles. Its intimate scale (9½ x 7⅝ inches) invites visitors to appreciate the tactile beauty of chalk and the timeless theme of human sadness embodied in Christ.