Barocci exhibition at the National Gallery

Federico Barocci (1535-1612) was a very successful painter in his time, and a contemporary of Caravaggio, but for some reason he is hardly known today.
This show at the National Gallery goes some way to bringing him back to prominence, and the collection of some of his major altar pieces and portraits are supplemented by the many preparatory studies the artist did for each of the major works on display. These studies, many in coloured chalk on tinted paper, are fabulous and display a fantastic level of draughtsmanship.
Barocci apparently used to carry a sketchbook around with him in his native Urbino and would be constantly drawing from life to capture poses and mannerisms. (A great lesson for us all)
Much of his work has a religious theme, but the composition and treatment of the subjects have a very naturalistic approach that I would havc associated more with 19th century Impressionists than with the 16th century. For example, a Nativity scene shows Mary watching over a very lifelike baby lying in a manger, with cow and donkey looking on. In the background,  Joseph opens a door to allow a couple of visitors to peek around the door to see the scene; a very informal touch.
In another, The Visitation, where the pregnant Mary visits her sister Elizabeth, also pregnant with John the Baptist, the scene is of an ordinary couple arriving at a door and being welcomed in. Elizabeth grasps Mary's hand while Joseph stoops to pick up his baggage before going into the house. It is a very domestic scene.
Alongside the main works, we see the studies of hands and faces and different poses that allow the visitor to understand the thought processes of the artist. Some of Barocci's "studies" are beautifully finished works in their own right, and one theory is that he made some of these as a way of generating more money.
It is a great revelation to discover this artist, and a privilege to be able to see his methods of working. The abiding impression is of an artist who was blessed with fabulous talent, but who worked incredibly long and hard to develop his skills and to produce these works.
If you get the chance to visit, go.