A standing man and a reclining figure, with a putto 1710 - 1780

Francesco La Marra made this study of figures in pen and brown ink in Italy, sometime in the 18th century. Drawings like this one are often linked to academic institutions that trained artists in proper form, perspective, and technique. The artist's hand renders the figures in dramatic poses. In the 1700s, the academies played a crucial role in shaping artistic taste and careers. They promoted a classical style rooted in the art of antiquity and the Renaissance. Mastery of the human form was essential, and artists often made drawings of classical sculptures or live models. It was also common to study the works of celebrated masters like Michelangelo and Raphael. This sheet gives us insight into the social institutions that shaped art production during that time. By researching the records of academies and artists' biographies, we can reconstruct the networks of patronage, training, and artistic exchange that gave form to the art of the period.