Man on Bended Knee, Pulling on Rope c. 1604

Bernardino Poccetti made this drawing of a man on bended knee pulling a rope in Florence sometime between 1560 and 1610. The image reflects the period's intense interest in the human figure, and the way physical labor shapes the body. The drawing may be a preparatory sketch for a larger painting, perhaps one depicting labor. During Poccetti’s time, Florence was transitioning from a republic to a more autocratic state under the Medici dukes, and the period witnessed growing disparities between the wealthy elite and the working class. Artists were increasingly dependent on patronage from the court and aristocracy, which may have influenced the subject matter they chose to depict. To fully appreciate the drawing, we can investigate the archives of Florentine art institutions, workshop practices, and the economic conditions that shaped Poccetti’s artistic output. These resources allow us to better understand the complex interplay between artistic creation and its social context.