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Two Nudes

Italian 17th Century

1601

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Nude

Dominant colour

Two Nudes is a 1601 chalk by Italian 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Italian 17th Century
When & what style?: 1601 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows two bare figures, their bodies tangled together in a loose, swirling pose. The lines are quick and sketchy, with no clear background—just the reddish-brown chalk marks on a light paper. One figure leans back, arms raised, while the other seems to wrap around them, fingers almost touching their face. The artist used only red chalk, letting the paper’s texture show through. The lines feel urgent, like they were drawn fast—maybe even as a quick study. The figures aren’t perfectly formed, but the movement is clear. Next, look up Baroque to see how this style’s energy fits into bigger art trends.