A Portrait of a Queen and a Study of a Woman Seated on a Cloud; verso, Sleeping Figure

Simone Cantarini

National Gallery of Art

The image displays a drawing featuring a partial view of a figure's face, focusing on the person's head and shoulders turned slightly to the right. The individual has delicate facial features and their hair is styled intricately with curls and a possible bun, adorned with decorative elements. They are wearing clothing with a ruffled collar. Next to this portrait is a drawn figure of a mythical or classical character, shown in a reclining position with an arm raised above the head, draped in flowing fabric. The background is a textured paper aged with hints of wear, showcasing these sketches in red chalk or a similar medium, giving the illustration a classical ambiance. Some text is visible in the top portion but is partially obscured and difficult to read. The bottom right corner of the image has a patch of similar paper, adding an element of restoration or preservation to the artwork.