BRONZINO, Agnolo
(b. 1503, Firenze, d. 1572, Firenze)

Study of a Young Man with a Lute

1532-34
Black chalk, 264 x 187 mm
Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth

The drawing is squared in black chalk for enlargement and cut to an arched top. it relates to the Young Man with a Lute in the Uffizi. This painting is notable for its architectural setting and wood paneling. Pontormo adopted the latter feature for his Alessandro de' Medici. However, in their preparatory drawings for portraits neither Pontormo nor Bronzino showed any interest in the surroundings in which they placed their sitters.

In the present drawing Bronzino mainly worked out the pose, which is clearly derived from Michelangelo's statue of Giuliano de' Medici.