Drapery Studies [recto]

Baldassare Franceschini

1654

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

About this work

This sketch shows folds of heavy fabric, drawn in quick, loose lines. The paper is light beige, and the artist used dark charcoal for the lines, with a few spots of white chalk to highlight edges. One corner has a faint orange-brown stain, maybe from age or handling. The drawing looks like practice—no finished details, just rough shapes and shadows. The artist focused on how light hits fabric, making it look almost three-dimensional. Next, check out Baroque to see how artists used movement and drama in their work.