P 1 : KsF
0521551335 c 04 -p 5 CUNY 160 /Joannides 052155 133 1 January 11 , 2007 11 : 34
CATALOGUE 68 STUDIO DRAWINGS AND DRAWINGS OF UNDETERMINED STATUS 309CATALOGUE 68A Seated Nude Man
184 6. 116 ;R. 12 ( 1 ); P.II37 0Dimensions: 78 × 52 mm, irregular.Medium
Red chalk.Condition
The sheet is probably lined. There is localised minor
foxing, uneven discolouration, and ingrained dirt. The
primary support is drummed by its four edges to the
backboard, so the verso is not visible.Numbering
Lower centre: Robinson’s numbering in graphite:
12.Discussion
This is presumably a quick sketch for a model seated on
a stool, and obviously a fragment cut from a larger sheet.
Although the forms are quite similar to those found in
the Sistine sketchbook (see Cats. 9 – 16 ), and the creasing
of the abdomen is economically indicated, this figure ismore loosely constructed than the figures found there,
and the line-work is lacking in energy and decision. The
quality does not seem to be high, but even though the
compiler would prefer not to accept that this sketch is by
Michelangelo, he would not reject it out of hand. Were
it found on a page surrounded by sketches securely by
Michelangelo, it might be accepted without comment.
But, given that Michelangelo and his pupils occasionally
drew side by side on the same sheets, it could still have
been drawn by a pupil on a sheet that Michelangelo him-
self used. However, this fragment cannot be attached to a
known sheet.
The sketch was traditionally linked with the Sistine
ceiling and identified as being for a Prophet. Steinmann
thought ofIonas,but the figure is in fact closer toEzechiel
as Justi noted. Michelangelo did begin work on the ceiling
with a Florentine crew, one of whom might, in theory,
have made such a sketch. However, the style of the present
sketch does not correspond with that of any of those artists
whose drawings have been identified. After Michelangelo
dismissed his Florentine assistants, he employed a pair of
minor Emilian painters to help him. But no drawings by
either are known.
The fact that the present sketch does not share a prove-
nance with the Sistine sketchbook also counts against it as
an autograph drawing; furthermore, Michelangelo does
not seem to have madeconcettifor the Sistine ceiling in
red chalk.History
Sir Joshua Reynolds (no stamp); Sir Thomas Lawrence
(no stamp); Samuel Woodburn.References
Lawrence Inventory, 1830 , Case 7 , Drawer 1 [ 1830 -
13 0i] (“Two small Studies in red Chalk, M. Angelo”
[with Cat. 71 ].). Woodburn,184 2,no. 57 (“Two stud-
ies on one mount – both in red chalk, the one a sit-
ting male figure.”). Woodburn,184 6,no. 29 (As184 2.).
Fisher, 1852 ,p. 6 , pl. 30 ,upper (As Woodburn,184 2.).
Fisher, 1865 ,I,p. 19 , pl. 30 (As 1852 .). Robinson,
187 0,no. 12. 1 (Michelangelo, c. 1518 .). Fisher,187 2,I,
p. 17 , pl. 30 (As 1852 .). Ruskin,187 2,p. 100 (“Pass-
ing by.”). Black, 1875 ,p. 213 ,no. 12 a. Gotti, 1875 , II,
p. 237 .Justi, 1900 ,pp. 117 – 18 (First idea forEzechiel.).
Fisher,187 9, VII/ 7 , upper (“[A] naked sitting figure.”).
Berenson, 1903 ,no.155 4. 1 (Michelangelo: for a dead
Christ; Sistine period.). Steinmann, II, 1905 ,pp. 381 ,
599 ,no. 37 (Michelangelo, forIonas.). Jacobsen, 1907 ,
pp. 390 – 1 (Closer toIoel;could also be for an Apostle