Who painted Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin"?

Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin" was painted by Agostino Masucci in 1724.

Where can I see Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin"?

Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin" is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin"?

Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin" is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin"

Agostino Masucci , 1724

Studies for Saint Anne in "Education of the Virgin" is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Agostino Masucci. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Agostino Masucci’s 1724 drawing, titled Studies for Saint Anne in “Education of the Virgin,” is a preparatory work for a larger religious composition. Executed in black, red, and blue chalk on blue laid paper, the piece measures roughly a modest sheet and focuses on a single figure, offering insight into the artist’s planning process.

Subject & Meaning

The study depicts an elderly woman, identified as Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Her hair falls loosely, and her expression combines serenity with a quiet resolve. The hands, placed gently in her lap, suggest a contemplative posture that underscores Anne’s role as a nurturing, instructive presence in the Virgin’s early life.

Technique & Style

Masucci employed a limited chalk palette, layering dark and light strokes to model facial features and convey volume. The blue background paper, aged and bearing faint stains, remains largely untouched, allowing the figure to emerge with stark contrast. The handling of line reflects Baroque sensibilities, emphasizing subtle chiaroscuro within a restrained drawing.

History & Provenance

Created as part of the preparatory phase for an altarpiece or devotional panel, the drawing remained in Masucci’s studio before entering a private collection in the 19th century. It later passed to a museum holding of Baroque drawings, where it is catalogued as an example of the artist’s compositional studies.

Context

During the early 18th century, Italian artists often produced detailed studies before executing large-scale religious works. Masucci, a pupil of Carlo Maratta, adhered to the academic traditions of the Roman Baroque, using preparatory sketches to refine narrative gestures and facial psychology before committing to oil.