Studies of Architectural Moldings, of the Virgin and Child with a Kneeling Saint, and of Two Angels Supporting Frames (recto); Studies for Architectural Mouldings (verso)
Medium
Pen and brown ink, red chalk, a little black chalk (recto); further studies of moldings in red chalk and pen and brown ink (verso)
Dimensions
11 1/4 x 8 1/8in. (28.5 x 20.7cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Richard Krautheimer, 1966
Accession Number
66.35
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite double-sided drawing by Baldassarre Franceschini known as il Volterr (1611–89), offers a glimpse into the meticulous process of a 17th-century Italian artist. the recto, Franceschini sketches architectural moldings alongside tender studies of the Virgin and Child a kneeling saint, and two angels supporting frames—blending sacred figures with ornate decorative elements typical of Baroque-era commissions for churches and palaces. The verso features additional molding studies, showcasing the sheet's efficient use for iterative design. Rendered in pen and brown ink with red and bla...