Saturday, April 14, 2018

Figure Drawings by Guercino (Cambridge and Edinburgh)

Guercino
Youth in feathered hat
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Guercino
Three male nudes
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Guercino
The Dead Christ
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

"Guercino (1591-1666) was a highly original and lyrical painter and draughtsman.  He was born Giovanni Francesco Barbieri in Cento near Bologna.  He was largely self-taught, but was strongly influenced by the bold figure painting of the Carracci family and the dramatic chiaroscuro of Caravaggio.  Guercino chiefly worked in Cento, briefly visited Rome (1621-23), and painted a wide range of subjects, making many exquisite drawings in red chalk and ink.  He excelled in daring foreshortening.  After the death of his arch rival Guido Reni in 1642 he moved his studio to Bologna."

– curator's notes form the National Galleries of Scotland, where outstanding groups of Guercino drawings were donated in the 19th century, having been steadily augmented since by other gifts and purchases

Guercino
Study of two figures, one holding a pair of scales
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Seated man with averted head leaning on his right arm
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Ruben showing Jacob Joseph's coat
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Guercino
Prophet Jeremiah
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Neptune riding on a dolphin
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Lot and his daughters
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Half-length female portrait
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Child wearing a turban
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Guercino
Boy helping his master to dress
ca. 1620-25
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

Guercino
Bearded man
before 1666
drawing
National Galleries of Scotland

attributed to Guercino
Boy looking upward
before 1666
drawing
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge