The Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Catherine and Another Female Saint
1620
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1620
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Catherine and Another Female Saint is a 1620 chalk by Pietro Damini, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows four figures in a cloudy, dreamy space. At the center, a robed woman holds a baby, while two kneeling women below reach toward them. One kneeling woman has a wheel beside her. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show flowing clothes and soft faces. The wheel next to the kneeling woman is a clue—it’s often linked to Saint Catherine. The drawing feels alive, with loose strokes that make the figures look like they’re moving. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layered lines.
