In for the long haul

This photograph shows my latest project. It is a cast drawing of the bust of Constanza Bonarelli by Bernini. I am completing the drawing in chalk and charcoal on toned Roma paper. I find the cast appealing because it is such a personal portrait, capturing the grace and elegance of the subject. The cast has a range of interesting textures which, I am sure, will provide me  with hours of fun!

Constanza was the wife of Matteo Bonarelli, who was one of Bernini's pupils. Bernini fell passionately in love with her. The affair lead the normally good natured Bernini to fall out badly with his former pupil, eventually leading to the intervention of the Pope in order to sort the situation out before things turned really ugly between them!

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