Standing Female Figure and Ornamental Framework

ca. 1547–53

Not on view

Lively drawn with brush and brown wash, over black chalk, this relatively finished study was executed by Bedoli as a preparatory drawing for the standing female allegory (or Canephora) frescoed in the north barrel vault of the church of Santa Maria della Staccata in Parma. As one of the artist’s most important and vast commissions, the fresco cycle of the Steccata was realized by Bedoli over two decades from 1547. The figure featured on the present sheet relates with three other drawings (Uffizi, Florence Inv. 13468 F, Salvi collection, Parma and Private collection, Rome) to the ornamental frame around the scene with the Pentecost, which the artist completed by 1553. In developing his sequence of standing, elegantly draped female figures, Bedoli clearly channeled the celebrated motif of the 'Wise and Foolish Virgins' painted by Parmigianino in the same church of the Steccata between 1531 and 1539. The composition was squared for proportional enlargement of the design. Until the hand of Bedoli was recognized by Konrad Oberhuber and Mario di Giampaolo, the sheet was erroneously attributed by an early collector to "Dionisio /Calvart.", as proven by an old inscription on the recto. (C.C.B.)

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Standing Female Figure and Ornamental Framework
Artist: Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli (Italian, Viadana ca. 1505–ca. 1570 Parma)
Date: ca. 1547–53
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over traces of black chalk; squared in black chalk
Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/4 x 4 1/8 in. (26 x 10.5 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 2006
Object Number: 2006.393.29
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli

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Head of Bearded Man (recto); Head of a Girl (verso), Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Red and black chalk (recto); red and black chalk, with pen and gray-brown ink (verso) — Head of Bearded Man (recto); Head of a Girl (verso)
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
1503–40

The Annunciation, Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Oil on wood — The Annunciation
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli

A Putto Seated on a Frame, Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white gouache, over traces of leadpoint or black chalk — A Putto Seated on a Frame
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli
ca. 1538–40

Lucretia, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian, Pen and brown ink over black chalk, partially incised with a stylus (recto); rubbed with black chalk for transfer (verso) — Lucretia
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)
1508–10

Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia) Italian, Pen and brown ink, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (recto); pen and brown ink, brush with touches of brown wash, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (verso) — Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)
Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia)
1435–38

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