Ballad Singer at a Shrine of the Virgin 1720 - 1725

"Ballad Singer at a Shrine of the Virgin" is a drawing by Alessandro Magnasco, created between 1720 and 1725. The artwork, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a group of figures gathered before a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A musician, possibly a ballad singer, performs for the devotees. The scene is characterized by Magnasco's signature style, emphasizing dramatic contrasts of light and shadow and a sense of theatrical energy. Magnasco was renowned for his portrayal of everyday scenes with an emphasis on the grotesque and the bizarre, evident in the dynamic figures and the overall composition of the work. The drawing, executed in brown ink and wash on paper, captures the essence of Magnasco's unique artistic vision.