Italian 17th Century

The artist designated as Italian 17th Century was an anonymous master active during the period spanning 1500 through 1600. This designation encompasses a range of subjects, predominantly centered on figural studies, classical mythology, and elaborate architectural design. The documented works attributed to this artist consist primarily of preparatory drawings and fine art prints.

The documented body of work represented in collections comprises 14 drawings and one print. These works display the specialized skill necessary for detailed commissioned designs, evidenced by the studies A Seated Nude and A Young Man, alongside highly specific functional and decorative concepts such as A Design for a Saltcellar. The artist also explored classical subjects, including the study Bacchus, and complex ecclesiastical architecture, demonstrated by the rendering An Elaborate Altar of Colored Marble Ornamented with Sculptures.

Today, works attributed to the Italian 17th Century are held in significant museum collections, notably the National Gallery of Art. The availability of these pieces as public domain material allows for wide study of Italian 17th Century prints and design practices. These high-quality prints serve as crucial documentation of the artistic styles prevalent in Italy during the transitional century between the High Renaissance and the early Baroque.