Artwork
Virgin and Child in Glory
Virgin and Child in Glory is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1644 by the Italian artist Simone Cantarini, also known as il Pesarese, the etching titled *Virgin and Child in Glory* presents a celestial scene rendered on laid paper. The work is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., and exemplifies the artist’s blend of classical composition with a naturalistic touch.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a robed female figure, presumed to be the Virgin Mary, cradling an infant Christ as they hover amid a sky filled with soft clouds. Their faces are rendered with a gentle ambiguity, while the surrounding landscape features a rugged cliff and sparse vegetation, suggesting a divine presence above the earthly realm.
Technique & Style
Cantarini employed fine, intersecting lines to model deep shadows and convey the weight of the drapery, achieving a luminous quality typical of his graphic work. The etched lines on the textured laid paper create a sense of movement in the fabric and a delicate atmospheric effect that balances detail with a subtle, ethereal glow.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the mid‑17th century during Cantarini’s active period in Pesaro, where he merged Bolognese classicism with a more naturalistic approach. After changing hands among private collectors, it entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Simone Cantarini or Simone da Pesaro, called il Pesarese (Baptized on 21 August 1612 – 15 October 1648) was an Italian painter and etcher.
