The Study of the Figure of Agnello Brunelleschi by William Blake English, 1757-1827, is a detailed graphite drawing executed on tan wove paper during the final years of the artist's life, circa 1821-1827. Classified specifically as a drawing, this piece showcases the distinctive visionary and linear style characteristic of Blake's late period. While the identity of Agnello Brunelleschi is referenced in the title, the work exemplifies Blake's approach to rendering highly specific, often mythological or historical figures with intense focus and definition.
During this era, Blake, working primarily in England, devoted himself heavily to illustration and drawing, often employing preparatory sketches like this one to solidify the forms and emotional depth of his subjects before transferring them to larger projects or prints. The use of graphite on tinted paper allows the English artist to achieve subtle tonal variations and emphasizes the precise musculature and contour of the figure. Blake's mastery of line work transforms the simple act of drawing into an expressive medium, retaining the vibrancy of his radical artistic vision even in smaller studies. This important drawing is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing crucial insight into the working methods and imagination of one of the most significant figures in British art history.
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