Studie van een moeder die haar kind draagt 1575 - 1579

Federico Barocci made this red chalk drawing, ‘Study of a Mother Carrying her Child’ in Italy sometime in the late 16th century. Barocci was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation, an artistic and ideological movement that sought to reaffirm the Catholic Church's doctrines. This drawing exemplifies the era's focus on emotional expression and naturalism, especially as it pertains to familial bonds. We can see the dynamism and intimacy of the figures. What's interesting to me is the role drawings like this played in the context of the artist's studio. The art academy was becoming an increasingly important place for artists to learn their trade. It offered a venue for the study of anatomy, life drawing, and the classical tradition. Barocci's drawing would have functioned as both a preparation for a larger painting and a demonstration of his mastery of the human form. By examining surviving drawings, letters, and contemporary accounts, we can better understand the artistic practices and cultural values of Barocci's time.