Studies for an Education of the Virgin: Saint Anne Teaching the Virgin to Read 1659 - 1734

This is Sebastiano Ricci’s “Studies for an Education of the Virgin: Saint Anne Teaching the Virgin to Read”, made with pen and brown ink in the early 18th century. Ricci lived in an era of profound social change, where the roles and expectations of women were being subtly renegotiated, particularly within the domestic sphere. This drawing offers us a glimpse into the intimate, domestic life of the Virgin Mary, guided by her mother, Saint Anne, in the pursuit of knowledge. As we look closer we notice how Ricci frames education not just as a religious obligation, but as a tender, personal exchange between mother and daughter. The Virgin Mary, central to Catholic theology, is shown in a moment of quiet learning, hinting at the importance of female literacy and spiritual development. Ricci’s choice to depict this scene reflects a broader societal interest in the education of women and girls. Although circumscribed by patriarchal expectations, it was a period where learning was increasingly recognized as essential for women, particularly within religious contexts. The drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between faith, education, and gender, and how these themes were negotiated in the domestic settings of 18th century Venice.