Youth in a Chariot with Attendant Young Woman c. 1621 - 1623

Guercino created this drawing, "Youth in a Chariot with Attendant Young Woman," sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries. Guercino lived during a period of significant social and political upheaval in Europe. His works often reflect the tensions between classical ideals and the gritty realities of everyday life. Here, the subject of the drawing alludes to classical antiquity, evoking images of emperors in triumph, returning from victory. Yet, Guercino’s style is very much of his time. His figures are captured with the rapid, loose lines typical of Baroque art. The artist's gender undoubtedly shaped his gaze. Consider how women in his drawing exist in relation to the male figure. Are they active participants or passive observers? As you examine this piece, consider how power, gender, and identity converge within the context of 17th-century Italy.