Seated male in profile to the right looking down hoding a drapery in his left hand, pointing upwards with his right 1601 - 1661

This red chalk drawing of a seated male figure was created in the 17th century by Francesco Montelatici, an Italian artist working in Rome. During Montelatici’s lifetime, the Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts, commissioning works that reinforced its power and prestige. This drawing, while seemingly a simple study, exists within that context of religious and political authority, where the male nude was often used to convey ideals of strength and virtue. However, the figure’s downward gaze and somewhat melancholic posture also suggest vulnerability. He holds a drapery in his left hand, which adds a layer of complexity to the figure, as if he is caught between revelation and concealment. The upward pointing gesture of the figure’s right hand may be understood as an expression of religious devotion. The use of the male nude allowed artists to explore complex human emotions while remaining within the boundaries of religious doctrine. This interplay between the idealized and the human provides a glimpse into the tensions of identity and representation that shaped artistic expression during this time.