On Coloured Ground Drawings on coloured papers by Italian Old Masters

This exhibition will explore how Renaissance artists have used coloured paper in their workshop practice; from preparing their papers with pastel-coloured chalk grounds, as described in Cennino Ceninni’s famous artists’ handbook (1437), to using readily produced blue paper (carta azzurra) made famous by artists in Venice.

The drawings are chosen from our own renowned collection, including pieces by Tintoretto, Bassano, Carpaccio, Bronzino, and some lesser-known artists who expressed their curiosity and playfulness on coloured grounds from the 14th century onwards.

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