CIRCLE OF MICHELANGELO ANSELMI (ITALIAN c. 1492 – c. 1554) - A RED CHALK DRAWING OF A CHILDS FACE.

Fine and sensitively rendered Renaissance drawing of a child’s head, by an artist in the circle of Michelangelo Anselmi (c. 1492 – c. 1554).

This drawing has been executed by a supremely talented hand, and one that has harnessed the artistic properties of red chalk to great effect. From the subtle shading and modelling of the face, to providing depth to the child’s features and creating atmospheric effects, this work is totally beguiling.

Michelangelo Anselmi (c. 1492 – c. 1554) was an Italian Renaissance-Mannerist painter and draughtsman active mostly in Parma.

A student of Bazzi and later a follower of Correggio, when living in Parma Michelangelo Anselmi. Sienese, became the disciple of Correggio.

Evolving in the Mannerist artistic circles, Anselmi took advantage of the influences of Parmesan and Beccafumi, becoming arguably the most imaginative painter in Parma in the early 16th century after Correggio and Parmigianino.

Anselmi is first recorded in Parma on 27 April 1520. A fresco certainly from his hand in one of the transept apses of S. Giovanni Evangelista is dated 1521, so that he must have been working in the church at the same time as Correggio and Parmigianino.

On 21 November 1522 he was contracted to decorate the vaulting and eastern apse of the south transept of Parma Cathedral. Two altar-pieces still in situ in the cathedral date from 1526. The decoration (still extant) of the Oratorio della Concezione attached to S. Francesco del Prato occupied him, in conjunction with Francesco Maria Rondani, from 1532 to 1534.

On 10 September 1537 he contracted to paint frescoes (also extant) in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in the church of S. Bartolommeo at Busseto, near Parma; and on 17 May 1540 he undertook the task, originally entrusted to Parmigianino, of painting the 'Coronation of the Virgin' in the eastern apse of S. Maria della Steccata.

In Anselmi's case, the design was to be supplied by Giulio Romano. His fresco was finally approved by the Fabbricieri of the church on 4 October 1548, and on the same day he was commissioned to paint the 'Adoration of the Magi' in the western apse. This was not finished when he died, and was completed by Bernardino Gatti.

This Renaissance Old Master Drawing is housed under art glass to aid viewing and conservation. It is presented ready to hang and enjoy in an antique frame with a wonderful mellow gilding.

Higher resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available.

Sheet: 10” x 8" / 26cm x 20cm.  Framed: 18" x  13.5" / 46cm x 34cm.

Price: £6000