Landscape with Ruins and a Figure

Circle of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, Il GUERCINO (1591 – 1666)
Landscape with Ruins and a Figure

Ink on paper, 29.5 x 21 cm
Annotated "N 16" at the top right
Studies on the reverse side

Provenance
Private collection, England
Private collection, France

This delicate drawing, attributed to Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, better known as Guercino (1591 – 1666), depicts an idyllic landscape with ancient ruins and a human figure. The finesse of the line and the balanced composition reflect the mastery of Guercino, a central figure in the Italian Baroque of the 17th century. Known for his ability to capture movement and emotion, Guercino managed to combine the dramatic intensity of Caravaggio with the colorful palette of the Bolognese school.

The work, measuring 29.5 x 21 cm, is executed in ink on paper, a traditional method that bears witness to the artist's practice in studying nature and ancient ruins, a popular subject in the Baroque era that evoked the grandeur and decay of Antiquity. The annotation "N 16" in the top right corner could indicate a sequence in a series of studies or a collection. The reverse of the work contains additional studies, offering a valuable insight into the creative process of the artist.

Guercino was an influential figure, not only as a painter of complex religious and mythological compositions but also as a talented draftsman. His sketches were highly sought after during his lifetime and remain an essential testimony to the artistic practice of the 17th century.