Fantasy and Passion: Drawing from Carracci to Bernini

Dynamic compositions, dramatic plays of light and shade, intense emotions: These are the characteristics we associate with the art of the Baroque. Yet they are manifest not only in the splendid decorations of churches and palaces, but also in the art of drawing. Works on paper formed the foundations for painting, sculptures and prints and provide insights into the exchange between artists and their patrons. At the same time, they stand their ground as artworks in their own right, and as such already captivated connoisseurs and collectors at the time of their making. The drawings shed light on evolving designs, complete with corrections and fresh starts. This visibility of the underlying artistic thought and work processes accounts for the special fascination of drawings.
Discover selected drawings of the Italian Baroque from the superb holdings of the Städel Museum’s Collection of Prints and Drawings.