Jacob Adriaensz. Backer
Dutch, 1608–1651
Seated Female Nude, 1630s–1640s
Black chalk, heightened with white
Gift of John W. Ittmann 86.104

Old Master Drawings: Steps in Artistic Creation

Saturday, May 9, 2009—Sunday, August 2, 2009
Gallery 344
Free Exhibition

Seldom-seen figure studies, compositional sketches, and presentation drawings by a range of artists from the Renaissance through the 19th century are highlighted in this exhibition.

Focusing on different categories of preparatory drawings executed in the artist’s studio, this selection presents two dozen sheets. Particularly notable are works by such master draftsmen as Jacopo Zucchi, Francesco Vanni, Simon Vouet, and Carlo Maratti. Many of the drawings came to the museum as part of a substantial gift from Professor Alfred Moir of Santa Barbara. Also included are two important drawings on loan from the collection of the late Joseph F. McCrindle of New York.