Virgin and Child Appearing to Saint Paul 1612 - 1675

"Virgin and Child Appearing to Saint Paul," a pen and ink drawing by Neapolitan artist Micco Spadaro (1609-1675), depicts the Virgin Mary and the infant Christ appearing to Saint Paul. The drawing is a study for a larger composition, as indicated by the sketch-like quality of the lines and the unfinished appearance. The drawing is characteristic of the artist's Baroque style. Spadaro, known for his works that often featured angels and the Virgin Mary, would have been inspired by the tradition of depicting the Virgin Mary’s apparitions to saints. The drawing, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a valuable glimpse into the creative process of a prominent Baroque artist.