The Virgin and Saint Joseph with Saint Anthony of Padua Seated in the Heavens Interceding for the Souls in Purgatory, While an Angel Pours Fluid from a Vase onto the Crowd Below (recto and verso)
1690/1710
Medium
Pen and brown ink, brown and gray wash, and white opaque watercolor (recto) and pen and brown-black ink (verso) on laid paper
Dimensions
36.3 × 22.3 cm (14 5/16 × 8 13/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
248311
Art Historical Context
This evocative drawing by Pietro Antonio di Pietri captures a powerful scene of divine intercession. In the heavens, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph appear alongside Saint Anthony of Padua, who advocates for the suffering souls in purgatory below. An angel dramatically pours fluid from a vase symbolizing the flow of grace or mercy reaching the crowd of the faithful on earth. Created between 1690 and 1710, the work reflects the deep Catholic devotion of the era, when images of saints bridging heaven and earth offered comfort and spiritual encouragement to viewers. Di Pietri’s technique enhanc...