Studies of Angels (recto); Panthea before Cyrus? (verso)

1658

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Studies of Angels (recto); Panthea before Cyrus? (verso) is a 1658 by Michel Dorigny, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Michel Dorigny
When & what style?: 1658 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a drawing of angels and possibly a scene with a woman. The drawing has a light and airy feel, with lines that suggest movement. It's interesting that this work was once thought to be by another artist, Simon Vouet, because of the similar style. Check out the work of artist Michel Dorigny (French, 1617–1665) for more like this.

The story of this work

Overview

Dorigny was the collaborator and son-in-law of Simon Vouet, the leading painter working in Paris in the mid-1600s. Their drawing styles are similar, and this sheet was once attributed to Vouet. However, the airy, floating drapery, firm contour lines, and regular parallel hatching lines are all typical of Dorigny's technique in black chalk. Although we do not know of a painting to which this drawing relates, the flying angels indicate that Dorigny had a religious subject in mind when he drew them.

Read the full account in the museum source.