Adoration of a Shrine

Parri Spinelli

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Parri Spinelli. The drawing shows an ornate shrine, to the right, around which people are gathered in adoration. The shrine has rectangular panels at its top and bottom, separated by columns with decorative detailing. Some figures are kneeling in front of the shrine in prayer, whilst a crowd of people stands to the left. This includes people in hats and headdresses, and some monks wearing habits at the centre. A chandelier is roughly drawn above the group. In the description below this drawing is the Verso. The other drawing referred to, the Recto, is 1925.605. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "2, 3. PARRI SPINELLI (b. 1387; d. 1452) Recto. SUBJECT FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Verso. ADORATION OF A SHRINE Collection of the Duke of Devonshire, K.G., Chatsworth. Pen and brown ink, 28.8 x 20.8 cm. (11 3/8 x 8 3/16 in.). In the first of these drawings, the apostles are seen grouped under a portico; one (St. John?) is addressing a kneeling woman, while a number of Jewish onlookers are seen on the left. The incident is clearly one subsequent to the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, though its exact significance so far remains obscure. The other drawing illustrates an incident unconnected with the Bible, for among the people worshipping at the Gothic shrine on the right are some monks. The style of these rare and interesting drawings points unmistakably to a Florentine artist of the early Quattrocento; and they exhibit very close analogies of style to the drawings attributable to Parri Spinelli (alias the 'Maestro del Bambino Vispo') in the Uffizi and the collection of Mr. Archibald G. B. Russell. T. B."