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Madonna and Child with Angels, Saint Benedict, and Saint Scholastica

Giulio Benso

1629

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Madonna and Child with Angels, Saint Benedict, and Saint Scholastica is a 1629 graphite by Giulio Benso, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Giulio Benso
When & what style?: 1629 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a group of figures in a dim, tiled room. A woman holds a baby while two angels hover nearby. One angel has wings and a crown, another leans in close. To the left, a robed figure holds a long staff. The lines are loose but sure, with shading that gives form to the clothes and faces. The drawing looks like a study—light, fast strokes that capture movement. The artist used ink and wash, leaving some areas rough for speed. Next, check out Baroque art for more dramatic, lively sketches like this one.