Madonna and Child with Saint Francis c. 17th century

Curator: This is Baldassare Franceschini's, otherwise known as Volterrano, sketch titled *Madonna and Child with Saint Francis*, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it has a really raw, intimate feel, doesn't it? Like a fleeting moment captured in red chalk. Curator: Indeed. Franceschini was a prominent Florentine Baroque painter. This drawing likely served as a study for a larger, more formal composition. Note the dynamic lines, typical of Baroque sketches, suggesting movement and energy. Editor: Yes! The dynamism creates a sort of spiritual vibration, doesn’t it? Saint Francis is almost pleading, while the Madonna…she’s a whirlwind of protection. Curator: Francis’s inclusion here would have resonated deeply during the Counter-Reformation, emphasizing piety and devotion. The sketch’s small size suggests a personal, rather than a monumental, devotional object. Editor: It feels so immediate, like catching a glimpse into Volterrano's mind as he wrestled with composition and emotion, a portal to the past. Curator: Absolutely, and it reminds us that even the grandest Baroque altarpieces began with such intimate explorations. Editor: Right, and, for me, it amplifies the devotional power of the finished artwork.