Ancient Sketch By Michel Nitot

Pen-and-ink drawing within an oval, set against a background of sanguine wash by Michel Nitot
, depicting a nude man holding a spear; according to the caption, a Bruttian from ancient Calabria. The drawing is set in molded, blackened wooden frames from the early 19th century. It is signed “m. dufresne” in the lower right corner and annotated “Brettii” in the Greek alphabet in the upper right corner and “ind du Bruttium” in the lower left corner. The drawing measures 15 x 12 cm without the frame.
Michel Nitot, known as Charles Dufresne, was born in 1759 in Chezy-l’Abbaye. A draftsman and engraver, as well as an opera singer, he is known for his precise drawings based on classical models, which evoke those of Flaxman; a collection of these entered the Musée des Arts Décoratifs through the bequest of Jules Maciet in 1904. He died in Paris in 1805.
An article published by the Société d’Histoire de l’Art Français in 1950 is devoted to him.
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bd6t53689383/f80.item