Lot 86
  • 86

* Denys Calvaert Antwerp circa 1540 - 1619 Bologna

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Description

  • Denys Calvaert
  • the annunciation
  • red chalk heightened with white, squared in black chalk

Catalogue Note

Although this very beautiful and impressive drawing has not yet been connected to a surviving painting, the attribution to Calvaert, which was proposed by both Konrad Oberhuber and Sir Timothy Clifford, is convincing on both technical and stylistic grounds.  Malvasia wrote that Calvaert was admired for his use of red chalk, strikingly employed here, while the white heightening, which adds energy to the composition, is familiar from other compositional drawings.  The slightly Northern figure types and the mannerist design of the lectern are also characteristic.