2Fv Cleopatra

Following a restoration work, made in 1988, the drawing was freed from its backing sheet. This difficult operation has allowed bringing to light a second drawing undoubtably by Michelangelo’s hand. Despite of the classical recto’s portrait of Cleopatra, the image, of similar subject, located on the verso, is permeated by a feeling of restlessness that is explicated through the stunned eyes and the half-open mouth. On the left, almost layout, an old man profile with a hooked nose seems to circumvent the woman.