The Virgin and Child with an Angel
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-8045
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
In the Smithsonian American Art Museum, visitors encounter *The Virgin and Child with Angel*, a graceful drawing by Italian artist Fortato Duranti (178–1863). Created between 1820 and1850, this work a cherished devotional theme: the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the infant Christ, accompanied by a protective angel. Such iconography, rooted in centuries of Italian religious art, continued to inspire artists during the early 19th century amid's cultural and political upheavals. As a drawing, the piece highlights the intimacy and immediacy of the medium, prized for its directness in sketching compositions, exploring light and form, or preparing larger works like paintings or sculptures. Duranti's choice reflects the era's emphasis on draftsmanship as both a foundational skill and an artistic end in itself, bridging Renaissance traditions with emerging Romantic sensibilities. Acquired through museum purchase with gifts from various donors and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund, this artwork enriches the Smithsonian's holdings, showcasing Italian influences in American collections. Ongoing research promises deeper insights, but its serene spirituality invites quiet reflection today.