Study of a Kneeling Figure with a Sketch of a Face

Though it prepares a heavily draped, bare-headed apostle in the Assumption Andrea painted for the Panciatichi family (Palazzo Pitti, Florence), this drawing features a model (probably a studio assistant, or garzone) mostly nude and wearing a cap. Andrea articulates his muscular back with short, subtle marks while ignoring his left hand and foot and summarily blocking in the face. The connection to the face sketched in black chalk at right is unclear, although it, like the kneeling figure in the painting, turns to look at the viewer.