Allegorical Figure of Purity with a Unicorn and Two Putti (recto); Study of the Same Figures (verso) 1642

Baldassarre Franceschini, also known as il Volterrano, made this red chalk drawing, "Allegorical Figure of Purity with a Unicorn and Two Putti", likely in Florence in the mid-17th century. The image presents an allegory of purity, a popular theme in Counter-Reformation Italy. Here, purity is represented by a regal woman, a unicorn, and two putti, who are all standard symbols of chastity and innocence. Franceschini made this study for a larger fresco, commissioned by the powerful Medici family. We can see their influence in the imagery, which seeks to align the Medici with values of purity. The institutional history of art matters here. Artists such as Franceschini, depended on wealthy patrons and strategically produced art that reinforced the values of the ruling class, and secured continued commissions. To fully understand this drawing, we need to look at the histories of the Medici family, the Counter-Reformation, and artistic patronage in Florence. Examining these resources will help us better understand the complex social context in which this drawing was produced.