Figure Studies

Federico Barocci

1574

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

About this work

This sketch shows two nude figures in quick, loose lines. One stands with arms crossed, the other kneels with one arm raised. The paper is light beige, and the ink looks faded in spots. There’s no background—just the raw paper and some faint strokes around the edges. The artist used thin ink lines with a few white highlights to define muscles and poses. It feels like a practice sheet, not a finished work. The loose style suggests they were working out ideas for bigger paintings. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layers of lines.