Group of Standing Female Saints (the Holy Virgins)
This drawing entered the Met's collection with an incorrect attribution to Sodoma, which had been scribbled on the backing of the original sheet. A new attribution has been proposed to Filippo di Benedetto Paladini (ca. 1544-ca. 1614), one of the last Tuscan Mannerist painters, who worked in Malta between 1590 and 1595 (Vita Segreto, written communication, 9/2/2012). Dr. Segreto, who is publishing this rather finished drawing in her monograph on the artist, has also suggested that it represents the rare subject of the Holy Virgins, which had special meaning in religious art commissioned by patrons connected with the Jesuit order. The style and technique of the drawing certainly agree with those of Florentine late Mannerist draftsmen.
Some of the previous ideas about the drawing's authorship have included "Lombard school, ca. 1600," as written on the mount by Willam Griswold. Some years ago, I suggested in a note on the mount, "Florentine, perhaps close to Giovanni da San Giovanni?"
(Carmen C. Bambach)
Some of the previous ideas about the drawing's authorship have included "Lombard school, ca. 1600," as written on the mount by Willam Griswold. Some years ago, I suggested in a note on the mount, "Florentine, perhaps close to Giovanni da San Giovanni?"
(Carmen C. Bambach)
Artwork Details
- Title: Group of Standing Female Saints (the Holy Virgins)
- Artist: Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
- Date: 1500–1700
- Medium: Pen and brown ink outlines, over red chalk, and rendering of shadows in soft grayish black chalk; framing lines in pen and dark brown ink
- Dimensions: 8-5/16 x 8-1/16 in. (21.1 x 20.5 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Gift of Cornelius Vanderbilt, 1880
- Object Number: 80.3.175
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
1500–1700
Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
16th–17th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
16th–17th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th to 17th century
16th–17th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.