Sitting Madonna with child c. 1525

Michelangelo Anselmi's "Sitting Madonna with Child" is a preparatory drawing for a larger painting, likely created around 1525. The drawing, executed in brown chalk on paper, portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child in a tender embrace. The composition is characterized by soft, flowing lines and subtle shading, typical of High Renaissance style. The artwork, now housed in the Städel Museum, exemplifies Anselmi's skill in depicting human figures with emotional depth and anatomical accuracy. The drawing's intimate subject matter and masterful execution make it a compelling example of preparatory work by an artist known for his altarpieces and frescoes.