The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael

1726/1727

Sebastiano Ricci

Associated Names
Sebastiano Ricci

Artist, Venetian, 1659 - 1734

This is a drawing of two figures. One has wings and the other is reclining with an infant. The scene is rendered in a loose, sketchy style with a monochrome color palette of browns using ink wash over pencil or pen lines. The winged figure on the left stands with an outstretched arm, appearing to interact with the reclining figure on the right. The reclining figure holds an infant and looks upwards. The background features minimal detail, suggesting a natural setting with trees and clouds. The drawing conveys movement and interaction between the characters, reminiscent of classical or mythological themes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

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

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 15.6 x 25.1 cm (6 1/8 x 9 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1987.8.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Herbert List [Lugt 4063]; to Ursula and Adolf Ratjen, Liechtenstein, who purchased the entire List collection; Ratjen Foundation, Vaduz (sale, Sotheby's, New York, 14 January 1987, no. 202, repro. p. 76); NGA purchase via David Tunick, Inc.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2006

  • The Poetry of Light: Venetian Drawings from the National Gallery of Art. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2006 (no catalogue).

Inscriptions

lower right in brown ink: B. Rizzi; lower right verso in brown ink: B. Ri[cc]i

Markings

blind stamp at lower right, HL in a square border

Wikidata ID

Q64630702

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