# A Flying Angel

**Jacopo Palma il Giovane** (Italian, c. 1548–1628)  
1580/1590  
pen and brown ink, heightened with white, over black chalk on laid paper  
overall (approximate): 27.4 x 17.4 cm (10 13/16 x 6 7/8 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1978.26.1. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.56625.html).

## About this work

Jacopo Palma il Giovane drew this in 1580/1590, aged about 32. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a human figure with wings positioned as though in flight. The figure is captured from a slightly frontal perspective, with the head turned downwards and the right arm outstretched. The facial features are undefined, focusing more on the body's muscular structure. The figure wears a cloth or drapery around the waist and has well-defined muscles on the chest, arms, and legs. Large wings extend out behind the figure, adding to the sense of flight. The background is plain with a light texture.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Chalk.** Natural black, red and white chalks. Used together on toned paper they could give the warmth of flesh with very little effort, and they were favourites for studies from life.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Jacopo Palma il Giovane](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jacopo-palma-il-giovane)

Italian, c. 1548–1628

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was about 32
- Real size: about 11 × 7 in (27 × 17 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 16th century
- Subjects: angels
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1587.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1587/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/a-flying-angel-nga-56625).