Cumaeïsche sibylle 1556 - 1566

Federico Barocci rendered this study of the Cumaean Sibyl in muted brown washes and chalk. Notice how the artist captures the monumental figure against a backdrop of shadow, with her gaze lifted towards the heavens. Barocci masterfully uses light and shadow to create depth and volume. The drapery, rendered with dynamic lines, enfolds the figure and adds movement to the composition. The Sibyl's raised arm and open book direct our eye upward, suggesting a divine connection. The dynamism that is found in Barocci's formal arrangements is an artistic strategy that challenges the static compositions typical of earlier Renaissance art. Here, Barocci embraces a more fluid and expressive style, anticipating the drama of the Baroque. This preliminary sketch allows us to see how Barocci uses formal techniques to bring intensity to the subject. By exploring the interplay between form and content, Barocci invites us to consider the meaning of the figure.