A study of a left arm holding a key from St Peter in Michelangelo's Last Judgement.

A large number of studies by Ambrogio Figino are copies from Michelangelo's Last Judgement. This chalk drawing of a left arm holding a key is copied from the figure of St Peter positioned to Christ's left in the fresco. The combination of smooth modelling and heavily muscled proportions emphasises the sculptural quality of the figure in Michelangelo’s fresco and suggest that Figino drew directly from the original rather than copying from reproductive prints. The structures of the arm are extremely faithful to the original that it is likely that he executed this study it in situ. It may also be the case that Figino had access to portions of Michelangelo's cartoons for the fresco.

For further studies of the Last Judgement by Figino in the Royal Collection see RCINs 906895, 906896, 906897, 906898, 906899, 906900, 906901, 906902, 906903, 906907, 906908, 906909, 906910, 906911, 906912, 906915, 906916, 906917 and 906918 and inv.nos. 1073, 1078, 1103, 1086, 1054, 1049, 1081, 1087, 1047, 1079, 1085, 988, 1099, 1095, 924, 1045, 1094, 923, 1088, 1069, 1098, 1070, 1084, 1066, 1029 at the Accademia in Venice.

Inscribed in pen at top left: N^o 23 Figino