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Study of a Back

Giulio Cesare Procaccini

1612

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Study of a Back is a 1612 ink by Giulio Cesare Procaccini, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Giulio Cesare Procaccini
When & what style?: 1612 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a single figure’s back and shoulders, sketched in loose, flowing lines. The paper is light brown, almost yellowed, with faint marks where the ink has blurred. The artist used quick, uneven strokes—some thick, some thin—to suggest muscle and movement. Notice how the lines overlap in places, creating shadows without filling in color. This is a study, not a finished work, so it’s raw and sketchy. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching next.