The Virgin and Child Appearing to Saints George and William

Lodovico Carracci

Associated Names
Lodovico Carracci

Artist, Bolognese, 1555 - 1619

The image depicts four figures. Two standing figures in the foreground are displayed in full, while the central pair on a cloud are in three-quarter view. The central figures include a woman seated on a cloud, holding a child on her lap. The woman's head is turned slightly to the side, with soft features and hair depicted with subtle lines. She appears draped in a flowing cloth. The child she holds is unclothed, with curly hair, and is reaching towards her. On either side, there are two fully armored male figures, one with his back mostly turned towards the viewer and the other facing slightly towards the woman. Both are wearing elaborate armor and helmets, and one is holding a banner or flag. The setting is suggested by clouds and a hint of trees in the background, giving the impression of a heavenly scene. The drawing has a sepia tone.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

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

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    Overall: 27.7 x 20.9 cm (10 7/8 x 8 1/4 in.)
    support: 34.6 x 28 cm (13 5/8 x 11 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1972.49.3

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Count Bianconi (according to an inscription on the back of the mount); Samuel Woodburn; Sir Thomas Lawrence (Lugt 2445); Samuel Woodburn; Lord Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere and by descent (sale, Sotheby's, London, 11 July 1972, no. 20); to P. & D. Colnaghi, Ltd., London, for NGA, purchase in 1972.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1836

  • The Lawrence Gallery, Sixth Exhibition, Messrs. Woodburn's Gallery, London, 1836, no. 7.

1954

  • The Ellesmere Collection of Old Master Drawings, Museums and Art Gallery, Leicester, 1954, no. 23 (P. A. Tomory).

1955

  • A Loan Exhibition of Drawings by the Carracci and Other Masters from the Collection of the Earl of Ellesmere, P. & D. Colnaghi, London, 1955, no. 3.

Bibliography

1898

  • Catalogue of the Ellesmere Collection of Drawings at Bridgewater House. London, 1898: no. 49.

1939

  • Bodmer, Heinrich. Lodovico Carracci. Burg bei Magdeburg, 1939: 150, no. 51.

Inscriptions

in later hand, lower center: Lod.co Caracci; across center verso on mount: 49. Lodovico Carracci. The Madonna & Child / enthroned in clouds ... Sir Thomas / Lawrence

Wikidata ID

Q64593283

You may be interested in

Loading Results