Studies of Arms, Shoulders and Hands

Giacomo Franco Italian
 previously attributed to Jacopo Palma the Younger Italian

Not on view

Traditionally attributed to Jacopo Palma the Younger (ca. 1548-1628), this sheet was conceived by Jacopo Franco as a design for an illustration his popular drawing manuals "De excellentia and nobilitate delineationis libri duo" (The excellency and nobility of the line, where it appears on plate 24) and "Regole per imparar a disegnar il corpo humano" (Rules to Learn How to Draw the Human Body), both published in Venice in 1611. It presents a series of anatomical studies of gesticulating hands, arms, and shoulders, likely drawn from a live male model, to be used in preparation for paintings or for drawing exercise. A successful publisher and engraver, Franco was also a talented designer, as proven by this tour de force of draftsmanship that combines hybrid, undulating motifs against a warmly washed background.

Studies of Arms, Shoulders and Hands, Giacomo Franco (Italian, Venice 1550–1620 Venice), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over red chalk

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Studies of Arms, Shoulders and Hands, Giacomo Franco (Italian, Venice 1550–1620 Venice), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over red chalk
Studies of Arms, Shoulders and Hands, Giacomo Franco (Italian, Venice 1550–1620 Venice), Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over red chalk

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