Study of an Old Testament Prophet and other Figure Studies (recto) c. 17th century

This 17th-century drawing by an anonymous artist features a study of an Old Testament prophet, likely from the Bible, as well as other figure studies, creating a dynamic composition of gestural lines. The drawing, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, uses pen and ink, with red chalk accents, to convey the figures in varying degrees of detail, capturing the artist's exploration of form and movement. The prophet, prominently displayed at the bottom of the page, is depicted in a seated pose, gesturing with his right hand. The upper half of the page features loose sketches of figures, indicating a focus on capturing the essence of the human form rather than detailed anatomical accuracy. These figure studies are reminiscent of preparatory sketches, providing a glimpse into the artist's creative process and the evolution of their compositional ideas.