The Holy Ghost Possibly 1680

drawing

aged paper

toned paper

light pencil work

ink painting

tea stained

coffee painting

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

italy

botanical art

watercolor

This 17th-century drawing by Italian artist Giacinto Brandi is a study for a larger painting. The artist is best known for his work as a fresco painter, and the "Holy Ghost" drawing, likely intended for a ceiling decoration, shows his skill in composition. Depicting a dove surrounded by cherubs, the work emphasizes the celestial nature of its subject, with the dove as the Holy Spirit. Brandi's delicate lines and subtle shading give a feeling of movement to the scene, making the piece feel airy and ephemeral. The drawing's oval shape would have been ideal for a ceiling fresco, and its detailed composition reveals the artist's preparatory process for his ambitious large-scale works.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This methodically drawn, detailed design was probably a contract drawing, executed by the artist as the final modello for approval by the patron before painting on the project was begun. The airy, brightly lit scene of cherubs floating around the Holy Ghost probably decorated the ceiling of a chapel.