Flowering Bush above an Eroded Bank

Federico Barocci, who worked in Urbino, made landscape sketches for use in his paintings and as independent studies. The artist’s multimedia approach—combining chalks, ink washes, and opaque paints—was novel at the time but would become standard practice for landscape artists working in later centuries. Novel, as well, was his interest in excerpts of the natural world rather than fully realized scenes. Here, the artist drew an eroded bank with a few bold lines in black chalk, then used a brush to layer brown and white ink washes, capturing the untamed clump of earth with
remarkable naturalism.

A vertically oriented drawing in black chalk and brown wash on tan paper features a flowering bush atop an eroded bank. Dark, tangled lines form the central plant, which is topped with thick dabs of white blossoms. Below, layered brown washes define the textured, sloping ground. Pale, vertical washes in the background suggest a wooded landscape. The name "L. Baroni" is inscribed in ink in the lower right corner.

Flowering Bush above an Eroded Bank

c. 1572–1604

Federico Barocci

(Italian, 1528–1612)

Italy, 16th century

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