Studies for a Ceiling (recto and verso)

Former Attribution Formerly attributed to Pietro da Cortona (Pietro Berrettini) Italian

ca. 1660–80

Not on view

This sheet of energetic sketches has been attributed to the French seventeenth-century painter Michel Corneille the Younger, a successful and prolific decorator of royal residences. The artist studied in Italy and trained under Pierre Mignard (French, 1613–1676) and Charles Le Brun (French, 1619–1690). Corneille the Younger was also a practiced printmaker, who was employed by the German banker Everhard Jabach (1618–1695) to engrave the best Italian drawings in his collection. The artist covered the sheet here with a large number of individual sketches, featuring ideas for figural groups, for ornament, and for the overall scheme of a compartmentalized ceiling. Although it is not certain for which building this ceiling design was intended, the ornamental motifs and the crisp style of draftsmanship are thoroughly characteristic of Corneille’s work.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Studies for a Ceiling (recto and verso)
Artist: Michel Corneille the Younger (French, Paris 1642–1708 Paris)
Former Attribution: Formerly attributed to Pietro da Cortona (Pietro Berrettini) (Italian, Cortona 1596–1669 Rome)
Date: ca. 1660–80
Medium: Pen and dark brown ink over traces of leadpoint (recto); pen and dark brown ink over leadpoint (verso)
Dimensions: 11 5/16 x 17 3/8 in. (28.8 x 44.1 cm)
Classifications: Drawings, Ornament & Architecture
Credit Line: Edward Pearce Casey and Harry G. Sperling Funds, 1995
Object Number: 1995.254
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Michel Corneille the Younger

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Samson and Delilah, Michel Corneille the Younger French, Etching — Samson and Delilah
Michel Corneille the Younger
1660–1708

God appearing to Abraham, Michel Corneille the Younger French, Etching — God appearing to Abraham
Michel Corneille the Younger
ca. 1667–1708

The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, Michel Corneille the Younger French, Etching; third state of three — The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew
Michel Corneille the Younger
Jean Mariette
1690–99

Pastoral Scene: Shepherds and Their Flock, Michel Corneille the Younger French, Brush, brown, red-brown, blue, green, and white paint — Pastoral Scene: Shepherds and Their Flock
Michel Corneille the Younger
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
n.d.

Copies after Raphael's 'The Finding of Moses', Michel Corneille the Younger French, Red and white chalk, with touches of pink pastel — Copies after Raphael's 'The Finding of Moses'
Michel Corneille the Younger
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)

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