A Draped Female Figure (possibly an Amazon) and Architectural Studies (verso)

1525

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

A Draped Female Figure (possibly an Amazon) and Architectural Studies (verso) is a 1525 by Correggio, a Renaissance work, depicting Emilia, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Correggio
When & what style?: 1525 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a woman lying on the ground, one leg bent, her body drawn in soft chalk. On the back of the sheet, quick sketches of buildings and a woman with arrows. This was once thought to be by Raphael, but the loose, flowing lines point to Correggio. He focuses on the curve of the leg, leaving the rest barely there—a quiet way of showing form. Look up *sfumato* to see how artists like Correggio blurred edges to create depth.

The story of this work

Overview

In this chalk study of a lone, fallen soldier, the brown ink inscription at the bottom of the sheet indicates that at one time it was believed to be by Raphael. However, it is now attributed to Correggio based on the sensuous drawing style that focuses attention on some details, like the soldier’s leg and foot, while other contours are barely sketched and shaded. The back, or verso, of the sheet presents quick sketches of classical-style architecture and a woman with a quiver of arrows on her back; she may be an Amazon, one of a race of warrior women skilled in archery, or Diana, goddess of…

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Correggio

Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…

See the richer artist page