Artwork

A Monk Seated with Arms Outstretched [Study for the Virgin in the _Vision of Blessed Felice da Cantalice_]

A Monk Seated with Arms Outstretched [Study for the Virgin in the _Vision of Blessed Felice da Cantalice_] is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Fra Semplice da Verona. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing, created in 1625 by Fra Semplice da Verona, is a study for a larger composition. Executed in black, white, and red chalk on blue paper, it depicts a seated figure with outstretched arms.

Subject & Meaning

The figure, robed and draped in heavy fabric, is likely a preparatory study for a depiction of the Virgin in a religious scene, specifically the 'Vision of Blessed Felice da Cantalice'.

Technique & Style

The artist employed rapid, expressive strokes to convey the folds and shadows of the fabric, utilizing the contrast between dark lines and the blue paper to achieve a sense of depth and volume. The use of red chalk adds a touch of warmth to the figure's hands and face.

Context

This drawing exemplifies the Baroque style, characterized by dramatic movement and emotional intensity, suggesting that the larger work for which it was a study would have been similarly expressive.