Four Saints (recto); Two Saints, Seated Madonna, and Kneeling Figure (verso)

Anonymous, Italian, probably Umbrian, 14th century Italian

Not on view

One of the earliest Italian drawings in The Met collection, this thin and fragile sheet once formed part of a late medieval model book. Such volumes contained repertories of carefully ordered motifs that could be studied and copied by members of a workshop, aiding in the instruction of young apprentices and ensuring a common style across hands. This page presents four principal figures in varying poses: a seated saint, a standing saint, the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child, and a figure who prays on one knee. Rather than invent new forms, artists could repurpose these exempla in compositions for works in other media, such as paintings. That the drawing has suffered significantly speaks to its use as an essential working tool and to the vicissitudes of collecting.

Four Saints (recto); Two Saints, Seated Madonna, and Kneeling Figure (verso), Anonymous, Italian, probably Umbrian, 14th century, Pen and brown ink, highlighted with white gouache

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Four Saints (recto); Two Saints, Seated Madonna, and Kneeling Figure (verso), Anonymous, Italian, probably Umbrian, 14th century, Pen and brown ink, highlighted with white gouache
Four Saints (recto); Two Saints, Seated Madonna, and Kneeling Figure (verso), Anonymous, Italian, probably Umbrian, 14th century, Pen and brown ink, highlighted with white gouache

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