
Read the visual description
The image depicts a male figure in a seated position, facing forward. The figure is drawn in a dynamic pose, with their torso turned slightly to the left. The person's head is tilted to the right, looking upwards. The face shows defined features such as cheekbones, a jawline, and a nose. The person has short to medium wavy hair. The figure appears muscular and is drawn nude. The right hand holds a large rectangular object, while the left arm extends outward with the hand pointing forward. There are no visible accessories or items being held. The background is a plain blue-gray textured surface, with the figure and objects outlined in a reddish-brown hue.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Seated Man Holding a Tablet
Carlo Maratta
- Medium
- red chalk with white heightening on blue laid paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 39 x 27 cm (15 3/8 x 10 5/8 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 1988.5.1
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Rudolf J. Heinemann
- Time span
- 1601 to 1650
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- male
- figure
- Seated figure
Inscription
by other hand, lower right in brown ink: Carlo Maratti; center verso in black ink: [illegible] Nessner(?); lower left verso in graphite: 7
NGA object ID 70310. 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.