Curtis_O_Baer_2010

18. Battista Franco Italian, ca. 1510 – 80

Study of a Woman verso: Standing Man (Samson?)

Black chalk on paper; verso: pen and ink 15 3 ⁄ 8 x 5 1 ⁄ 8 inches ( 39 x 13 cm)

provenance Jonathan Richardson, Jr., London (Lugt: 2170 ); Colnaghi’s, London, 1962 ; Collection Curtis O. Baer

exhibitions Atlanta, 1985 , cat. no. 4 , pp. 22 – 3

Venetian by birth, Battista Franco lived in Urbino in the 1540 ’s and found success as a decorative artist designing majolica vases and decorations. His return to Venice in the 1550 ’s marked a return as well to painting and fresco. The recto and verso of this sheet show the strong influence of Michelangelo in two different styles and mediums. Eric Zafran has pointed out the rela tionship between the female figure and the figure of Strength in the ca. 1560 fresco at the Grimani Chapel.

The addition of architectural detail on the ink drawing also recalls draw ings by Michelangelo.