The Four Fathers of the Church

Jacob de Wit

Associated Names
Jacob de Wit

Artist, Dutch, 1695 - 1754

The image depicts a group of figures, primarily from the waist up. In the center, an elder man with a long, flowing white beard and facial features partially obscured by shadows is wearing a papal tiara adorned with intricate designs. He holds a crosier-like staff in his hand. To his left, another elder figure with a mitre, a beard, and similar facial features leans in close. The figure on the left has bare arms and is muscular, with an attentive posture, resting one arm on a large book. Behind them, a figure in a mitre appears, holding another crosier, and a cherubic being with small wings raises its arms above. The entire scene is sketched with a focus on brown tones on a plain background, with slight architectural elements to the right.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink with gray and brown wash, heightened with white gouache on brown laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 11.1 x 18.2 cm (4 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.70.250


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(W. R. Jeudwine, London, by 1961); Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York, 1961; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2012

  • Grasselli, Margaret M., and Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr., eds. The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art. Washington, 2012: 173 (color).

Inscriptions

by artist, lower center in pen and black ink: J de Wit inv.

Wikidata ID

Q64579347

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