A Damned Soul 
Europe, 16th century
 
21.4 x 14.3 cm. Executed in red chalk. A compelling 16th century study of a damned soul and a skeleton(verso). Some discoloration at the top portion of drawing. Minor marks elsewhere. Three small adhesive marks on the verso from a partial mounting on modern paper. Overall Very Good. A seemingly Florentine inspired design – evocative of skeletal studies done by the likes of Rosso Fiorentino(1495-1540) and Alessandro Allori(1535-1607). The paper has a watermark of a bird in a shield found on Neapolitan paper from approximately 1500-1550.
 
A rather mesmerizing and emotive work of art that leaves one in contemplative awe.
 
Ref: The Watermarks, C.M. Briquet
 
[history, art]