71F Madonna and Child

Executed on a support made by gluing two sheets of paper side by side, this drawing has been described as a ‘cartoon’. Yet it cannot be the preparatory phase for any work by Michelangelo. The most notable correction in this sheet reveals that Michelangelo has originally drawn the Madonna’s face profile, with her eyes lowered to gaze down the Child. Numerous retouches can also be seen in the Child.