drawing
- Museum number
- 1980,1213.4
- Description
-
Three studies of St Simeon holding the Christ Child; one in a rectangle turned to left
Red chalk, with some pen and brown ink
Verso: Three studies of the same composition
Red chalk
- Production date
- 1626-1689
- Dimensions
-
Height: 205 millimetres
-
Width: 265 millimetres (max; irregularly cut)
- Curator's comments
- Together with 1980,1213.2 and 1980.1213.3, this is one of three very closely related fragments of studies for a Nunc Dimittis. All three show Volterrano experimenting with casting Simeon to both the left and the right in near identical poses, similarities which make it difficult to put the group in any meaningful sequence. The sole outlier is the sketch in the bottom-left of the recto of 1980,1213.4, the only study wholly (as opposed partially) reinforced in ink, which is unique in showing Simeon as a priest. Volterrano evidently gave this drawing some thought, for he added several pentimenti drawn on three scraps of paper glued to the surface, a habit of the artist’s also encountered on both sides of 1980,1213.3.
The compositions explored in all three sheets recall a study of Volterrano’s showing Joseph holding the Christ Child (New York, Metropolitan Museum 2006.393.10), which is currently dated to c. 1640. The BM trio may have been produced at a similar time.
G.L.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1980
- Acquisition notes
- This item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45. The British Museum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1980,1213.4