Portrait of a boy 

Annibale Carracci rendered this portrait of a boy in sanguine chalk. The texture of the chalk on paper creates a soft, almost hazy effect, lending a gentle humanity to the subject. Carracci employs a subtle structure to create depth and volume with closely hatched lines and gradations of tone. Note how he models the boy's face with light and shadow, using a limited tonal range. The structural elements, like the gentle curve of the boy's cheek and the soft lines defining his features, evoke a sense of youth and innocence. Carracci's sensitive handling of line and tone not only captures a likeness but also imparts an emotional quality to the work, inviting ongoing interpretation and appreciation of its formal qualities.