Studies for Arch Figures (recto and verso) by Domenico Mondo

Studies for Arch Figures (recto and verso) c. 1785

drawing

toned paper

light pencil work

pencil sketch

charcoal drawing

possibly oil pastel

charcoal art

oil painting

underpainting

portrait drawing

italy

watercolor

"Studies for Arch Figures (recto and verso)" is a study drawing created by Domenico Mondo circa 1785. The drawing, housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, depicts three figures in various poses. The figures, drawn in brown wash and ink, appear to be studies for an architectural or sculptural project. The loose and gestural style of Mondo's drawing is characteristic of his work, which focused on depicting human figures in dynamic and expressive poses. Mondo's sketches, like this one, offer a glimpse into the creative process of a masterful artist.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Domenico Mondo's calligraphic pen work is on full display here. In this two-sided sketch, the artist invented figures to adorn an arch. He continued his studies on the back of the sheet, efficiently tracing the dark outlines of one of the figures from the front. He then worked up this new figural study in charcoal, this time showing the figure holding a book rather than crossing his arms. When viewed just right, the sheet's scrollwork watermark is visible. This identifies the paper as coming from Palermo, not far from Domenico's hometown of Naples. Also apparent are some small losses in the paper, where the corrosive iron gall ink has eaten through.