Partially squared, the sheet is a study of the figure of Tiresias for the painting of the same name, painted by Colacicchi in his studio at the Academy when he was still a teacher. The artist recalls that his students `were coming into the studio to watch me work. But that time, the curiosity of the female pupils, in particular, I suspect, went more to the beautiful boy who, with great grace and patience, continually repeated the difficult and tiring gesture of despair of my Tiresias'.

The episode depicted is based on the third hymn of Foscolo's Le Grazie and describes the moment in which the young man was blinded by Athena, guilty of having seen her naked as she came out from her bath.

The figure is in all respects similar to the final version.