Head of a Young Man (detail), about 1539-1540, Parmigianino, pen and brown ink. The J. Paul Getty Museum Head of a Young Man (detail), about 1539-1540, Parmigianino, pen and brown ink. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Mysteries abound in Italian Renaissance drawings. Sometimes even the simplest question—“Who drew it?”—is up for debate. Featuring spectacular drawings from the Getty collection and rarely-seen works from private collections, this exhibition reveals the detective work involved. Explore how drawings by Michelangelo, Titian, and other Renaissance masters were created and the purposes they served. Discover what we know and don't know, what we'd like to know, and what we may never know about these intriguing works of art and their world.

Selected Works

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How much do we know about Italian Renaissance drawings by Michelangelo, Titian, and other masters? Explore the mysteries of a sitter's far-away gaze, the cross-hatched lines of a shrouded figure, along with many more stories about these spectacular works.

Pick up a multimedia player free of charge in the Museum Entrance Hall or use your own smartphone on our free GettyLink Wi-Fi.


Take the mobile audio tour: getty.edu/mysteries

Exhibition Resources

Discover more about the works featured in the exhibition.

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