Studie van een jongeman 1607 - 1615

Bartolomeo Cesi made this red chalk drawing called 'Study of a Young Man' in Bologna, Italy sometime between the late 16th and early 17th century. It appears to be a preparatory sketch for a larger work. The figure's pose with raised hands and upward gaze suggests a moment of religious ecstasy or supplication, themes that were popular during the Counter-Reformation. Bologna, then part of the Papal States, was deeply influenced by the Catholic Church, which shaped artistic production at the time. Cesi's focus on anatomy and drapery reflects the academic training artists received in institutions like the Accademia degli Incamminati. This academy promoted a return to classical ideals and emphasized careful study of the human form. The grid lines visible beneath the drawing suggest a method of transferring or scaling up the figure. Art historians consult a range of sources to understand works like this, including artists’ biographies, archival documents related to artistic training, and religious or political publications that would have influenced the cultural context in which artists worked. These pieces of evidence help us interpret the role of art as shaped by social and institutional forces.