Artwork
Study for the 'The Charity of St. Elizabeth'
Study for the 'The Charity of St. Elizabeth' is an oil painting by Bartolomeo Schedoni. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bartolomeo Schedoni’s oil on canvas, executed in 1610, serves as a preparatory study for his larger composition titled “The Charity of St. Elizabeth.” The work is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection and offers a glimpse into the artist’s planning process for a religious narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays a woman seated on the floor, nursing an infant, while two male figures observe from behind. The woman’s modest attire—a white shirt and brown skirt—emphasizes humility, and the intimate act of nursing suggests themes of compassion and maternal care that align with the charitable virtues associated with Saint Elizabeth.
Technique & Style
Schedoni employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting a darkened backdrop with a narrow shaft of light entering through a right‑hand window. This lighting scheme models the figures in three dimensions, directing attention to the central mother and child and creating a sense of depth within the limited space.
History & Provenance
Created as a study for a larger altarpiece, the painting remained in Schedoni’s workshop before eventually entering the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Its acquisition history reflects the museum’s focus on early Baroque Italian works, though specific details of previous owners are not recorded in the available sources.
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