Madonna and Child with Saint John
Medium
Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash, over black chalk, on cream laid paper
Dimensions
22.4 × 16.3 cm (8 7/8 × 6 7/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
82538
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints Drawings collection, *Madonna and Child with John* by Fortunato Duranti a delicate pen and brown ink drawing, enhanced with brush and brown wash black chalk on cream laid paper. Measuring just 22.4 × 16.3 cm, this intimate work exemplifies the preparatory sketches favored by artists of the early modern period, allowing for fluid exploration of form and composition before committing to larger paintings or frescoes. The subject—a tender depiction of the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child alongside the young Saint John the Baptist—draws from a timeless Christian iconography that flourished in Italian art from the Renaissance through the Baroque era. Duranti's technique reveals masterful control: the underdrawing in black chalk provides subtle modeling, while the precise ink lines and translucent washes add depth, shadow, and emotional warmth, inviting viewers to ponder the sacred bond between mother, son, and future prophet. Though undated, this drawing highlights the enduring appeal of such devotional themes, bridging personal piety and artistic innovation. It's a window into an artist's studio practice, where every stroke balanced spirituality with technical virtuosity.
About the Artist
Fortunato Duranti · 1787–1863
Italian, 1787–1863