St. Joseph dying. Oval composition

Artist/Maker

Dimensionsh x w: Mått 35,4 x 25,9 cm

Inventory numberNMH 1301/1863

AcqusitionTransferred 1866 from Kongl. Museum (Carl Gustaf Tessin)

Other titlesTitle (sv): Den döende Josef. Oval komposition Title (en): St. Joseph dying. Oval composition Inventory title (sv): Den döende Joseph omgifven af Madonnan mfl

DescriptionDescription: Brown stain. Laid down. Inscribed: "Franceschini Bol." in pen and black ink in lower right corner. Numbered: 181 in pen and brown ink n lower right corner (Sparre). This is a preparatory study for a painting commissioned by Giovanni Giacomo Monti in August of 1686 for his family chapel in the Bolognese church of "Corpus Domini". Miller knew of three additional drawings of this composition, but felt that our sheet and one in Budapest alone merit serious consideration as being the original study. The Death of St. Joseph, with its typical Counter-Reformation theme, was to become the artist´s best known religious painting. It was described by Abbé Richard in 1769 as follows: "Il y a dans ce tableau une verité d´expression qui charmé; la douleur douce et noble de la Vierge, l´interet du Sauveur des hommes, la reconnoisance peinte sur le visage du viellard expirant, tous ces passions sont representés avec la plus grande verité. [Bjurström, It. Drawings, cat. no. 1495]

Collection

Geographical origin

MaterialBlack chalk (Crayon), Ink, Paper

TechniqueWash drawing, Drawing