Artwork
The Virgin and Child Appearing to Two Female Monastics
The Virgin and Child Appearing to Two Female Monastics is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Neapolitan 17th Century. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child Appearing to Two Female Monastics is a drawing executed in pen and brown ink with gray wash over charcoal on laid paper. It depicts a visionary scene with a serene atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child on a cloud above a body of water, appearing to two kneeling monastic women. The figures below gesture upwards, their faces directed towards the heavenly vision.
Technique & Style
Soft lines and shading convey a sense of movement in the clouds and fabric. The application of wash creates a subtle, ethereal effect, lending the scene a dreamlike quality.
Context
This drawing is characteristic of a style that emphasizes emotional and expressive qualities, related to the Baroque period, known for its dramatic and highly emotive art.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made ink drawings crowded with dramatic scenes. One sheet piles up a soldier drawing his sword, a crucifix, and odd creatures all in quick, scratchy lines. Another shows the Virgin and Child suddenly…
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