The Sacrifice of Elijah before King Ahab

1680s

Nicola Malinconico

Associated Names
Nicola Malinconico

Artist, Italian, 1663 - 1721

This is a drawing of a religious scene with a heavenly figure surrounded by rays and clouds above several figures. The composition features a group of people gathered around a stone altar, with a dramatic depiction of a divine or celestial event taking place. The focal point is the heavenly figure at the top, surrounded by clouds and sunlight rays. Below, various individuals are in dynamic poses, some appear to be bowing or reaching towards the figure above. The drawing is detailed with expressive lines highlighting movement and emotion among the characters.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown and black ink with brown wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall (arched top): 61.5 x 47.8 cm (24 3/16 x 18 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2000.53.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 2 July 1985, no. 67, as Paolo de' Matteis, A King Sacrificing); Private Collection, Switzerland. (Paul Prouté, S.A., Paris); purchased 2000 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1999

  • Scavizzi, Giuseppe. "Drawings by Artists in Giordano's Circle: Simonelli, Malinconico, and De Matteis." Master Drawings 37 (1999): 246, fig. 15.

2000

  • Paul Prouté S.A., Dessins / Estampes, Catalogue "Prud'hon". Paris, 2000: no. 10.

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 990355

Wikidata ID

Q64618481

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