Artwork

Two Reclining Figures [verso]

Two Reclining Figures [verso], by French 17th Century, chalk, 1650
Two Reclining Figures [verso], by French 17th Century, chalk, 1650

Two Reclining Figures [verso] is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist French 17th Century. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:by later hand, lower left verso in brown ink: Lanfranque

About this work

Overview

Two Reclining Figures [verso] is a drawing executed in black chalk, enhanced with white highlights, on a blue laid paper support. The work presents a pair of reclining forms rendered in a monochromatic palette, emphasizing line and tonal contrast.

Technique & Style

The artist employed black chalk to delineate the figures, applying white chalk to accentuate areas of light and volume. The choice of blue laid paper provides a subtle colored ground that influences the overall tonal balance, while the drawing’s linear quality reflects a focus on gesture and form.

Man Reclining on the Ground and the Corner of a Bed [verso]
Man Reclining on the Ground and the Corner of a Bed [verso], Jean-Baptiste Deshays

Artist & collection

Portrait of French 17th Century

Artist

French 17th Century

Seventeenth-century French printmakers worked in burin and acid. See the Beggar Woman with Rosary (1622), etched on laid paper with her hands folded in prayer, or The Siege of La Rochelle (1628/1631), one sheet from a…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Two Reclining Figures [verso]?

Two Reclining Figures [verso] was painted by French 17th Century in 1650.

Where can I see Two Reclining Figures [verso]?

Two Reclining Figures [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Reclining Figures [verso]?

Two Reclining Figures [verso] is associated with Baroque.