1639
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Virgin and Child with a Bird is a 1639 ink by Simone Cantarini, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a woman holding a baby, both wrapped in loose, flowing drapery. Behind them, a tree trunk and branches fill the left side, while the right side has a rough, textured wall. The woman’s face is turned slightly away, her hand resting on the baby’s head. The lines are dark and precise, with some areas showing cross-hatching for shadow. The artist used fine lines to create depth, especially in the fabrics and the wall. The bird in the title isn’t visible here, but the focus is on the quiet moment between the two figures. Want to see more? Check out etching to learn how artists carve images into metal plates.
Simone Cantarini or Simone da Pesaro, called il Pesarese (Baptized on 21 August 1612 – 15 October 1648) was an Italian painter and etcher.
See the richer artist page
