(R.)Figure Studies: Standing Nude Figure, Putti, and a Man's Head (V.) Figure Studies: A Flying and a Standing Man 1613 - 1678

Giulio Carpioni made this red chalk drawing, Figure Studies, in the mid-17th century. This drawing gives us a privileged view into the artistic process within the context of the Italian Baroque. Here, Carpioni is working within a well-established academic tradition. The nude figure, the putti, the classical references – all were part of the visual vocabulary taught in art academies of the time. But it's more than just an exercise. The sensuality of the figures, the dynamic composition, and the expressive use of line suggest Carpioni was exploring the emotional potential of these classical forms, perhaps as studies for a larger painting or fresco. To truly understand this work, we might look at manuals and treatises used in the academies, studying the biographies of Carpioni’s patrons, or examining the inventories of collectors. The meaning of art lies not just in the image itself, but in the web of social and institutional relations that bring it into being.