Francesco Vanni, The Holy Family with Saint John (recto), 1584-1610, red chalk over black chalk on paper, 7 in. x 5 1/4 in. (17.78 cm. x 13.4 cm.), This double-sided drawing experiments with different compositions of one of the most beloved figurative groups in Italian art, the Madonna and Child. While the recto presents an intimate scene that brings together Jesus and Saint John in their infancy, with Mary thoughtfully providing motherly support, the verso focuses on Mary and her child alone. The appeal of the scenes is obvious, each compositional nuance translates into a slightly different emotional (and theological) balance between motherly love, a child's affection, and the anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. As Bowdoin Professor Susan Wegner demonstrated, Vanni's rapid sketch relates to a group of small paintings of the Madonna that Vanni created around 1600. The Sienese artist most likely filled a larger sheet with such drawings, from which the exhibited detail was cut off.
Keywords:
Francesco Vanni, Holy Family, Saint John, recto, 1584-1610, red chalk, black chalk, paper, 7 . x 5 1/4, 17.78 cm. x 13.4 cm., double-sided drawing experiments, different compositions, beloved figurative groups, Italian art, Madonna, Child., recto presents, intimate scene, brings together Jesus, Saint John, infancy, Mary thoughtfully providing motherly support, verso focuses, Mary, child alone., appeal, scenes, obvious, compositional nuance translates, slightly different emotional, theological, balance, motherly love, child's affection, anticipation, Christ's sacrifice., Bowdoin Professor Susan Wegner demonstrated, Vanni's rapid sketch relates, group, small paintings, Madonna, Vanni created, 1600., Sienese artist, filled, larger sheet, drawings, exhibited detail, cut off
Image ID:
The watermark in the image will not appear on the final download.