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The image is a sketch of a person in motion. The figure is depicted in a dramatic pose as if caught in swirling motion. The face has shadowed features and flowing hair that merges with surrounding lines. The clothing is rendered with loose, curving lines suggesting movement. There are no visible jewelry or objects. The background is filled with swirling lines and shading, enhancing the sense of motion. The sketch appears to use a combination of techniques, possibly chalk or charcoal overlaid with fine line work.
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The image is a sketch of a person in motion. The figure is depicted in a dramatic pose as if caught in swirling motion. The face has shadowed features and flowing hair that merges with surrounding lines. The clothing is rendered with loose, curving lines suggesting movement. There are no visible jewelry or objects. The background is filled with swirling lines and shading, enhancing the sense of motion. The sketch appears to use a combination of techniques, possibly chalk or charcoal overlaid with fine line work.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Young Man Pursued by Death

Stefano Della Bella

Medium
pen and brown, iron gall ink with gray wash over black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
Overall: 18 x 14.3 cm (7 1/16 x 5 5/8 in.) support: 25.4 x 21.5 cm (10 x 8 7/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1981.90.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1601 to 1650
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Florentine
  • Death
  • state of being
  • allegory
Provenance

(Colnaghi's), London, 1964; Mr. and Mrs. Winslow Ames (Lugt Supp. 2602a), Saunderstown, RI; purchased 1981 by NGA.

NGA object ID 61068. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.