The Madonna and Child with Sts Antony Abbot and James the Greater 1600 - 1700

This anonymous 17th-century red chalk drawing, "The Madonna and Child with Sts Antony Abbot and James the Greater," depicts a scene of religious devotion. A kneeling St. Anthony Abbot gestures towards the Virgin Mary and Child, who appear above in the clouds, while St. James the Greater stands with his traditional staff. The work exemplifies the use of red chalk to create subtle tonal variations and convey the figures' anatomical forms. The drawing is a testament to the artist's skillful handling of this medium, a popular choice for preliminary sketches and devotional pieces during the period. The artwork is part of the collection of the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark.