With his characteristically subtle handling of red chalk, Guercino has captured the elegant pose of this nude wrapped in billowing drapery. The twisting of the cloth echoes her contrapposto stance, characterised by a dynamic yet relaxed appearance. The juxtaposition of firm and sketchy lines with hatching and soft tones renders the softness of the figure’s flesh, her flowing drapery and wavy locks as well as her delicate, pensive expression.

by descent to the artist's nephews, Benedetto Gennari (1633-1715) and Cesare Gennari (1637-1688), 1666; by descent to Cesare’s sons, Gianfrancesco Gennari (1671-1727) and Filippo Antonio Gennari (1677-1751), 1719; by descent to Gianfrancesco's son, Carlo Gennari (1716-1790); presumably Francesco Forni, Bologna (18th century) or Abbé Bonducci, Florence (18th century); presumably acquired from either of those by John Bouverie, England (ca. 1722/1723-1750), 1741 or 1745; by descent to his sister, Anne Hervey (d. 1757); by descent to her son, Christopher Hervey (d. 1786); by descent to his aunt, Elizabeth Bouverie (d. 1798); by descent to Sir Charles Middleton, later 1st Baron Barham (1726-1813); by descent to his son-in-law, Sir Gerard Noel, 2nd Baron Barham (1759-1838); by descent to his son, Charles Noel, later 1st Earl of Gainsborough (1781-1866); by descent to Charles Noel, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough (1850-1926); his sale, Christie's (London), 27 July 1922, part of lot 81 (a box containing 68 drawings by Guericno and others); purchased there by F.R. Meatyard (London) on behalf of Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952) (£90 for the lot); Witt Bequest 1952

Narrative Folds (Pop-up exhibition), The Courtauld Gallery, London, 01/06/2013-01/06/2013

Drawings by Guercino and other Baroque Masters, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 01/02/1977-01/03/1977

Old Masters from the Witt Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 01/01/1943-01/05/1943

The Connoisseur, December 1925
Illus. p. 211

Watermark: Watermark: none.