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Female Saint (Saint Clare of Assisi or Saint Catherine of Siena?)

Italian 17th Century

1600

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Female Saint (Saint Clare of Assisi or Saint Catherine of Siena?) is a 1600 chalk by Italian 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Italian 17th Century
When & what style?: 1600 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing depicts a female saint, possibly Saint Clare of Assisi or Saint Catherine of Siena, rendered in black and red chalk on laid paper. The saint is shown standing, with her arms outstretched and her hands pointing in opposite directions. She wears a long robe and a head covering, and her facial expression is serene. In the background, there are faint outlines of buildings and a figure, but these details are not clearly defined. The overall effect of the drawing is one of quiet contemplation, with the saint's gentle features and outstretched arms conveying a sense of peace and devotion. The use of chiaroscuro in this drawing creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the saint's face and hands. For more information on this technique, explore the art of Italian 17th Century.