The Massacre of the Innocents

c. 1635

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli

Associated Names
Giovanni Francesco Romanelli

Artist, Roman, 1612 - 1662

This is a drawing depicting a scene with figures in action around classical architecture columns. Some figures appear to be struggling or resisting, creating tension and movement in the composition. The use of chiaroscuro enhances the drama and depth of the scene. The technique and style suggest a Renaissance influence, focusing on anatomy, movement, and expression.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown and blue wash over black chalk, heightened with white gouache, on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 26.1 x 36.5 cm (10 1/4 x 14 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2007.111.142

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Helmut Tenner, Heidelberg, 9-10 October 1958, no. 2940; Wolfgang Ratjen, Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1995

  • Fünfzig italienische Zeichnungen des 16. - 18. Jahrhunderts aus der Stiftung Ratjen, Vaduz. Liechtensteinischen Staatlichen Kunstsammlung, Vaduz. Bern, 1995, no. 28 (as Cortona).

1996

  • Italian Drawings from the Ratjen Foundation, Vaduz. The Frick Collection, New York. Bern, 1996, no. 28 (as Cortona).

2011

  • Italian Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, 1525-1835, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2011, no. 30.

Bibliography

1985

  • Merz, Jörg Martin. "Cortona-Studien." Dissertation, University of Tubingen,1985: 293-295 (as Pietro da Cortona).

1991

  • Merz, Jörg Martin. Pietro da Cortona: Der Aufstieg zum führenden Maler im barocken Rom. Tubingen, 1991: 215-219, fig. 334 (as Cortona).

1992

  • Fischer Pace, Ursula Verena. "Pietro da Cortona. Der Aufstieg zum führenden Maler im Barocken Rom di J. M. Merz," Bolletino d'Arte 76 (Nov.-Dec. 1992): 109.

2001

  • Fagiolo dell'Arco, Maurizio. Pietro da Cortona e i 'cortoneschi': Gimignani, Romanelli, Baldi, il Borgognone, Ferri. Milan, 2001: 112, 120, note 11

2005

  • Merz, Jörg Martin. Pietro da Cortona und sein Kreis. Die Zeichnungen in Düsseldorf. Munich, 2005: 175, 461, note 61.

Wikidata ID

Q64572434

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