The Betrothal of the Virgin
Artist/Maker
Material / Technique
Dimensionsh x w: Mått 24,1 x 36,8 cm
Inventory numberNMH Anck 396
AcqusitionPurchase 1896
Other titlesTitel (sv): Josef och Marias trolovning Titel (en): The Betrothal of the Virgin
DescriptionDescription: Watermark: Crescent (close to Heawood 870: Venice c. 1725) Inscribed at lower centre in pen and brown ink: "Sebastien Ricci" (C.G. Tessin) Verso: One half of frame: Red chalk (the other half on no. 215 [NMH Anck 397]) Inscribed verso: "Sebastiano Rizzi" (signature?) Provenance: A.M. Zanetti? ; C.G. Tessin (Cat 1749, livré 22, no 19) ; M.G. Anckarsvärd ; A Michelson ; K. Michelson ; Acquired by the museum in 1896 [Bjurström, It. Drawings, cat. no. 216] Cf. the preceeding number [215 / NMH Anck 397] with which this sheet agrees in every respect, including that it is executed on the same piece of paper: "The simple frame on the verso of this and the following sheet, half on each, indicates that the same paper was used for both. The drawings, moreover, have been executed as pendants. The motifs of this one is relatively common in Venetian 18th century art in designs that are highly reminiscent of the present version, examples being Sebastiano Ricci´s at Chatsworth and Giovanni Battista Pittoni´s in the Baltimore Museum of Art. The composition of the latter is so close to ours that in 1925 Laura Coggiola Pittoni ascribed the sheet to this artist, too. The composition derives from Veronese´s organ doors (outher surface) in Chiesa di San Sebastiano, Venice, but in the various 18th century versions the depth of the composition has been reduced and the figures are spread out as though on a narrow stage. This drawing was in all probability given to Tessin by Zanetti, which would support the former´s attribution. The style is closest to that of Ricci´s late work, after 1720, though it lacks something of his nervous spontanity in those years. It is also very like sheets in the group of drawings in Museo Correr that are listed under Gaspare Diziani´s name. In the period 1720-34 this artist was heavily dependent on Ricci´s work." [Bjurström, It. Drawings, cat. no. 215]
Collection
Geographical origin
TechniqueDrawing, Wash drawing
Object category