Twee studies van een arm 1588 - 1660

Giacomo Cavedone made these two studies of an arm with graphite on paper sometime in the early 17th century. At the time, the artistic institutions in Bologna, Italy, where Cavedone was from, encouraged artists to study human anatomy and drapery, as seen in the folds of the sleeve here. These academic studies were crucial to the production of religious and mythological scenes that were very much in demand from the Catholic Church. Cavedone was a devout Catholic, and his art was deeply influenced by the religious and social climate of his time. He worked within the context of Counter-Reformation art, where the Church sought to use art to reaffirm its authority and inspire religious devotion. The image shows two studies of an arm. The artist has paid close attention to the play of light and shadow on the drapery, using hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of volume and texture. To understand Cavedone's artistic choices, historians can explore the archives and libraries of Bologna.