The most famous achievement of Annibale Carracci (1560–1609) is his celebrated series of frescoes in the Palazzo Farnese in Rome (1596–1604). The unveiling of the Galleria Farnese’s ceiling led to a growing stream of artistic commissions from Cardinal Farnese and other patrons, all eager to secure works by the artist. However, the severe mental and physical breakdown that Annibale suffered in early 1605 made it impossible for him to undertake new projects, and few works are known from the last years of his life other than some etchings and some remarkable—and too often underrated—drawings. This lecture aims to take a fresh look at these late drawings of one of Italy’s foremost draftsmen, highlighting some well-known works as well as other, less familiar sheets from the Morgan and elsewhere.
Held Tuesday, June 11, 2019