The Virgin Mary supported by two Holy Women

Italian School

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing from the Italian School. The drawing shows the Virgin Mary in the centre with a woman on either side of her. The Virgin faces forwards and slightly towards the right, as she looks downwards and to the left. The woman to the left supports her from behind with her right arm under Mary's right arm. The woman to the right faces to the left and supports Mary's left arm with her shoulder. All the women are wearing long drapery and have elaborate halos. The hands of all the women are elongated and graceful. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 1 ITALIAN SCHOOL (about 1380) THE VIRGIN MARY SUPPORTED BY TWO HOLY WOMEN British Museum, 1909-1-9-1. From the Collection of Duca Giuseppe di Cassano Serra, Naples. SIlver-point, heightened with white, on lilac prepared paper. 16.2 x 12.4 cm. (6 3/8 x 4 7/8 in.) The drawing is a study for a Crucifixion. The elongated figures with loose, flowing garments, and the over-subtle expression of emotion might remind us of Tuscan artists about 1400, such as Parri Spinelli. There exists, however, in the collection of Lady Jekyll in London a picture of a Madonna enthroned, with kneeling donors, inscribed, 'Tigho di doffo Buggani', dated 1379, which shows such a striking resemblance to the British Museum drawing in the proportions of the figures, with the upper part of the body too small, in the type of the women's faces, and even in the contours and cast of the drapery, that a close connexion [sic] between the two works is probable. That permits us to date the drawing as early as about 1380. As to the artist, or even the school, it is impossible to speak with certainty. It is merely a personal conjecture of my own if I suggest Umbria or the Marches. WILHELM SUIDA."