Artwork

Reclining sibyl holding a book, with a winged putto supporting an inscribed tablet

Reclining sibyl holding a book, with a winged putto supporting an inscribed tablet is a drawing by Bernardino Gatti. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Bernardino Gatti’s drawing serves as a preparatory study for a larger fresco. Executed in a loose, gestural hand, it depicts a reclining female figure, traditionally identified as a sibyl, accompanied by a small winged child. The composition is bounded by an oval cartouche, suggesting its intended placement within an architectural framework.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a sibyl, holds an open book, a conventional symbol of prophetic knowledge. Adjacent to her, a putto leans on a tablet bearing an inscription, reinforcing themes of divine revelation and scholarly wisdom. The interaction between the mature figure and the youthful attendant underscores the transmission of sacred insight.

Technique & Style

Rendered with rapid, flowing lines, the drawing emphasizes contour over finish, characteristic of a study rather than a completed work. Gatti employs cross‑hatching to suggest volume and shadow, while the overall composition balances dynamic movement with the stability of the oval frame, hinting at the eventual fresco’s spatial organization.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to a series of sixty‑eight architectural drawings attributed to Gatti. It entered the collection through a combination of purchase and donation from Francis Wollaston Moody in 1872, reflecting 19th‑century interest in Renaissance preparatory sketches and their role in art historical research.

Context

As a preparatory design, the drawing illustrates the collaborative process between artist and patron in the creation of large‑scale frescoes. The inclusion of classical figures aligns with the Renaissance revival of antiquity, while the oval cartouche indicates the drawing’s function as a template for integrating narrative elements into architectural settings.