Study of a veiled woman standing, and a smaller study of the same figure seated

This drawing dates from the early stages of Carlo Dolci's career, a time when he was significantly influenced by his teacher Jacopo Vignali, Federico Zuccaro, and the leading figures of the Florentine Mannerist style, such as Jacopo Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino. These influences are evident in the elongated form of the standing figure. The imposing female figure, depicted with outstretched palms, is meticulously drawn in red chalk on the large sheet. The same figure is found in two other red chalk drawings by Dolci, of the same size as the present one, in the Uffizi in Florence (inv. 18198F and 1176F). These were possibly all preparatory studies for a Madonna grieving at the feet of the cross in a Crucifixion scene that was never executed. At lower right, a similar draped figure is depicted seated in the delicate technique of red and black chalk for which Dolci was famous.