Study of a Back 

Giulio Cesare Procaccini made this small pen and brown ink drawing titled 'Study of a Back' in Italy sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. At this time, the Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts. They promoted idealized depictions of the human form, but there was also increasing interest in human anatomy. This drawing provides an insight into artistic training in that period. Artists would often make studies of the human body to improve their understanding of anatomy and form. Procaccini's drawing emphasizes the musculature of the back and shoulders, which are rendered with careful attention to detail. The pose seems dynamic, as if he is about to swing. To understand the social conditions that shape artistic production, we can consult surviving artist’s notebooks and academy records. These shed light on the training, patronage, and social status of artists in this period. Art history involves understanding the social and institutional context in which the art was made.