Artwork

Madonna and Child in the Clouds, Adored by Saints

Madonna and Child in the Clouds, Adored by Saints, by Italian 17th Century, ink, 1610
Madonna and Child in the Clouds, Adored by Saints, by Italian 17th Century, ink, 1610

Madonna and Child in the Clouds, Adored by Saints is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Italian 17th Century. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This drawing depicts the Madonna and Child surrounded by saints in a cloud-filled scene.

About this work

Overview

This drawing depicts the Madonna and Child surrounded by saints in a cloud-filled scene. Created with pen and brown ink, brown wash, and graphite on laid paper, it showcases the artist's skill in rendering a complex composition.

Subject & Meaning

The Madonna holds the Christ child, who reaches out to her, as surrounding saints gaze upwards in adoration. The scene conveys a sense of reverence and devotion, highlighting the sacred figures' emotional connection.

Technique & Style

The artist employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to achieve texture and depth, characteristic of the Baroque style's emphasis on dramatic effects. The use of brown ink and wash over graphite on laid paper adds to the drawing's expressive qualities.

Context

The drawing is associated with the Baroque movement, known for its dramatic lighting and intense emotions. This stylistic context suggests the artwork was created during a period when artistic expression was characterized by heightened emotional and visual intensity.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Italian 17th Century

Artist

Italian 17th Century

This Italian artist worked in the 17th century, making engravings, ink drawings, and oil paintings.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.