Antique Subject 17th century

This anonymous 17th-century drawing, “Antique Subject,” is a study of three figures, likely Roman, in an informal style. The central figure, a woman, stands prominently, her drapery rendered in loose, expressive strokes. The artist used pen and brown ink with touches of wash to create a dynamic sense of movement. This small but detailed work, which is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the loose and expressive style of drawing that flourished in the 17th century.